Victory for UK sprinting sensation

Darren Campbell beat Ian Mackie in the 200m

Britain's new sprinting sensation Mark Lewis-Francis ran his fastest-ever 100m to clinch the first major victory of his senior career at the Aqua-Pura Loughborough International meeting on Sunday.

The 17-year-old saw off the challenge of reigning European 100m champion Darren Campbell and Christian Malcolm, winner of this winter's European indoor 200m title, running a personal best 10.25sec.

Lewis-Francis is now expected to be picked for Britain's Olympic team - but insisted he was focusing on the World Junior Championships instead.

Philip Kibitok (right) wins the 800m from Mark Seasy

"At the moment I'm not really looking towards the Olympic Games," said Lewis-Francis, who at 5ft 11in and 13st has the perfect sprinting frame.

"I'll be focusing on the World Junior Championships - that's where I know I can do well. The Olympics would be a bonus but I probably will only do the relay.

"This year's World Juniors will be my last opportunity to win the gold medal there whereas the Olympics will be around for many years to come."

Despite disposing of two of the country's top 100m men in a winning time that bettered the Olympic qualifying standard of 10.27sec by 0.02sec, Lewis-Francis knows there is room for a massive improvement, especially in less blustery conditions.

But last year's World Under-18 gold medallist has already targeted an October triumph in Santiago, Chile, where he is eager to succeed Malcolm - the current world junior 100 and 200m champion.

This year's World Juniors will be my last opportunity to win the gold medal there whereas the Olympics will be around for many years to come

Mark Lewis-Francis

Malcolm could only manage third in Loughborough in 10.32sec with Campbell runner-up in 10.30sec.

Lewis-Francis was introduced to athletes by his father, who took him to the local Birchfield club six years ago after his son showed a natural ability for running.

The teenager added: "I'm not even 100 per cent race fit at the moment. It's only my second outdoor race this year. I wasn't overawed but my realistic aim was to have a good race and stay injury-free."

Campbell, after a chat with his coach Linford Christie, returned in style to win the 200m in a close finish with a time of 20.85sec, 0.05sec ahead of Scot Ian Mackie.

Katharine Merry, a genuine Olympic 400m medal hopeful who spent the winter in Queensland with Campbell and other members of `Team Linford', flashed to a splendid 200m success running 23.22sec into the wind.

Merry said: "It was nice to start with a win and we could have done without the wind in our faces."

In the 2000m steeplechase, which is expected to make its international debut in the 2002 European Championships, Tara Krzywicki lowered her own British record by a healthy two seconds with a winning time of 6min 36.49sec.