As part of our Young Athlete series, AW chats with a talented multi-eventer who is looking to get back to form this year

Although he had a quiet year last year in his first as an under-17, the 2012 English Schools junior boys pentathlon champion Reuben Esien is determined to get back on track in 2014, aiming to win the English Schools intermediate octathlon and set a UK under-17 record.

The 15-year-old Solihull & Small Heath athlete has achieved a lot in a small space of time, having already represented England in the SIAB Schools International combined events in 2012 and finishing the year as the top-ranked multi-eventer in his age group.

He finished fourth on his international debut but really enjoyed the experience.

Reflecting on 2012, which also saw him claim silver in the English Schools high jump, the talented teenager says: I achieved so much considering I was battling with patellar tendonitis.

Winning the combined events was probably the highlight because that was the main target of the year and it has a big build-up with it taking place in the middle of September. However, I was hoping to break the all-time record.”

“I love the camaraderie in multi-events. When it gets down to it we have our game faces on and we want to beat each other, but in between we are all friends.”

Injuries affected his 2013 season, but with them now firmly behind him, he is ready to enjoy further success this year.

I feel I am ready to come back this season with a bang!” he says. I m definitely thankful to my mum for reminding me the world was not ending. I often get worked up when things aren t going to plan because I really want to do well but listening to another point of view shows me it s not all that bad.”

Having been to the English Schools three times and each time for a different event, Reuben is fairly sure that he will stick with combined events. Like many young combined eventers, he says: I don t know what my best event is really. I feel like I m pretty well-rounded. I love the camaraderie in multi-events. When it gets down to it we have our game faces on and we want to beat each other, but in between we are all friends. I also love that I am good at it.”

Coached by Paul Deakin, Reuben hopes to win the national multi-events title again this year with a national record. My coach and I always set high but achievable aims. I love setting these targets, as it keeps me motivated. I m a bit of a control freak! I like having plans,” he reveals.

Like most aspiring decathletes, Reuben has a full training programme devised by Deakin in which he works with specialist coaches for each event. Demonstrating a mature attitude, he says: My brother plays football for the Aston Villa academy and his training schedule is also quite heavy, so thanks to mum for being the taxi service because otherwise I wouldn t be able to train.”

With his dad s motto You reap what you sow” fixed firmly in his mind, Reuben has high hopes for the future. I take my athletics seriously and want to be an Olympic gold medallist. However, I am keeping my options open and want to go to university as well,” reveals Reuben.

You can find further performance stats on Reuben on Power of 10 here.

Support young athletics via the Ron Pickering Memorial Fund, see rpmf.org.uk

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