KING Edward's School sprinting star Jordan Huggins raced against Britain's best athletes in the UK Indoor Championships and world trials 60m final, at Sheffield, last Sunday. This was the first time that he had taken part in a full senior championship final and it was his first appearance on national television (BBC2). The event had been making headlines all week because of the presence of Dwain Chambers and the difficulties he would cause the UK Athletics' selectors if he won the event. The event was to decide the UK's team for the World Indoor Championships in Valencia, March 7-9. Jordan, the youngest finalist at 17, seemed composed in the two qualifying races but he had to perform at his very best to make the finals. He came third (6.82) in the sixth heat in the morning which was won by Dwain Chambers (6.60) In the semi-final, he was again lined up against Dwain Chambers and this proved to be a nerve- wracking race. There were no less than three false starts and two disqualifications, but Jordan remained calm. He got off to a good start and was well up with the leaders and in the end he held on to achieve third place in a personal best time of 6.72 seconds. This meant that he hadn't automatically qualified but he was in with a chance as one of the fastest losers – this was the fastest semi-final, as it turned out, so he qualified in eighth place for the final. The final was also full of drama with competitors having to be recalled after a false start. Dwain Chambers saw off his main rival, Simeon Williamson (6.61), to win in 6.56 secs. Jordan came in 8th (6.79). Assistant headteacher at the Witley school Gwyn Phillips, said: "This was billed as a real showdown between Chambers, Craig Pickering and Simeon Williamson and so it turned out with Dwain Chambers winning the event convincingly. "Jordan started well but couldn't keep up the fast pace and finished eighth overall – but what an achievement to get to the final and to compete alongside the UK's top international sprinters. "Jordan has made an impressive start to his indoor season having won the Celtic Cup International 60m sprint for England, the weekend before in Cardiff. His time there was 6.9 seconds. We look forward to seeing a lot more of him in the season to come." Jordan, who is in the lower sixth, started at King Edward's aged 11 and was recognised early on for his potential. He went on to train with Godalming and Guildford Athletics Club but a year ago joined Enfield and Haringey Athletics Club because of its better facilities. Last year he joined the UK top rankings for 17-year-olds with his best time 10.45 over 100 metres. As well as sponsorship from Nike, Jordan is part of the UK Athletics' World Class Programme and qualifies for Lottery funding under the World Class Talent Athletes' scheme which forms the basis for developing young athletes in preparation for the London Olympics in 2012. l Dwain Chambers has been included in Great Britain's squad for next month's IAAF World Indoor Championships, it was announced on Tuesday. Although he cannot compete at the Olympics in Beijing later this year The selection of the infamous sprinter – who was banned from athletics for two years after testing positive for the performance-enhancing drug THG – has created a storm of protest throughout the athletics community. But, the 29-year-old Londoner won last weekend's trials with relative ease, giving team selection bosses little choice. However, selectors made it clear they had chosen Chambers under duress. He will not be invited to compete at the Norwich Union Grand Prix on Saturday
