 | HARRY'S FACTFILE Name: Harry Aikines-Aryeetey Born: 29 Aug 1988 Club: Sutton and District Event: 100m, 200m and relay Coach: Matt Favier University:: St Mary's, London - Sports Science degree |
Almost 12 months ago Harry Aikines-Aryeetey took centre stage at BBC Television Centre to collect the Young Sports Personality of the Year award.
It wasn't the first time he grabbed the limelight and, judging by his current form and drive, it certainly won't be the last.
After claiming the sprint double at the 2005 World Youth Championships, he has gone on to win his first senior cap and a gold at the World Juniors in Beijing.
The 18-year-old took time out from his studies to reveal what he has been up to since winning the BBC honour and his ambitions on the track.
DID YOU ENJOY LAST YEAR'S AWARDS CEREMONY?
I was just happy to be a nominee but winning the award made me unbelievably happy.
I loved the fact that people had acknowledged what I had done. Plus Wayne Rooney and Andy Murray were previous winners!
If you look at what they are doing now it didn't take them long to excel. Hopefully, I'll be doing the same in my sport.
 Harry accepts the award from Sue Barker |
The night was amazing. I didn't meet Pele but knowing he was in the same room and he was associated with the same awards meant a lot. I did start up a great friendship that night with Theo Walcott (runner-up to Harry).
We're pretty good friends now and we've agreed that I'll watch him play for Arsenal and he'll see me run. 
DID WINNING THE AWARD AFFECT YOU?
It definitely gave me a boost of confidence and made me train even harder.
It actually made me want to come back and win the award again. My performances really picked up afterwards.
HAS IT BEEN A GOOD YEAR?
I won bronze at the Nationals, picked up my first senior cap in the relay at the European Cup in Malaga, as well as a gold at the World Junior Championships in China.
I've also had a couple of injuries. I've had my ups and downs but I've remained focused and just done what I have had to do - that's run in a straight line.
WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNT ABOUT YOURSELF?
I have found out how stubborn I am. I am strong-minded and I don't know what 'no' means.
I suffered a slipped disc at the British Grand Prix in Gateshead and it looked as though I couldn't race in the 100m final.
I couldn't face not running and ended up doing OK. The injury actually spurred me on.
| My dream is to be the best athlete there ever has been |
I didn't see it as an injury, but something I had to work through. People doubted me when I was running at the World Juniors but my coach trusts me. Running in this race was just another way of proving people wrong. Plus I had the chance of going up against Asafa Powell in the final.
HOW WAS IT TAKING ON THE WORLD'S BEST RUNNER?
The British Grand Prix was the second time I was in a race with Asafa.
The first time I didn't say much, but in Gateshead I wished him good luck. He went on to equal the record but he was really nice to me.
He shook my hand and was very welcoming. Hopefully, I will be in the same position one day and spur someone else on.
WHAT DOES THE FUTURE HOLD FOR YOU?
My dream is to be the best athlete there has ever been.
I would even consider just going to these championships around the world as successful - I just want to make the country proud of me.
My studies are going well and I've got amazing support at St Mary's University with some great facilities.
They realise things could easily go wrong as well as really well for me.
I'm training hard, I have great friends and I've got some amazing people like Christian Malcolm really helping me along.
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