Okoros aim to keep it in the family at Trials

BROWNHILLS siblings the Okoros are planning to make the Aviva World Trials and UK Championships a 'family affair' next weekend.

Older brother Edirin and twin sisters Ese and Ejiro will be out to impress in front of a home crowd as they test themselves against the country's best at the Alexander Stadium from July 10-12.

Edirin will compete in the 110m hurdles, following a win in the same event at last year's Under-20 England Open Championships.

"I'm just trying to find out where I am in the hurdling world and what I need to do for next year's training," said the Birchfield Harrier.

"My goal is to make the finals of the Championships, as well as hopefully getting a personal best as well.

"I've had some flexibility issues, so I haven't managed to get a full range of movement.

"I haven't really run as well as I could have, so I really don't know where I stand among the other guys in the country.

"However, I'm definitely a lot better than I was three months ago.

"The Aviva Trials will show how well the recovery has gone and how I cope with big competition, especially against guys like European bronze medallist Andy Turner."

Ese, who studied at Shire Oak along with her brother and sister, echoed Edirin's sentiments, as she herself prepares to face the likes of Olympic bronze medallist Tasha Danvers in the 400m hurdles.

She said: "I'm a bit nervous, but it will definitely be a good stepping stone to compete at that level. It's on my home track, so I want to do well."

Edirin, who is studying psychology at Wolverhampton University, said, "Having a major UKA event here means a great deal to me. We used to live right behind the track and I've trained there for as long as I can remember. It's like my second home – I've probably been there longer than in any house!

"Every time I've run there, I think I've run a personal best as well. Fingers crossed, I'll get another PB at the trials – I know that track well enough to!"

"You really want to show what you can do in front of friends and family", added Ese.

"My training has been going really well and I feel a lot stronger and more positive than I did before. What better place to show that off than at home?"

Ejiro, who will be running the 800m at the Midlands track, admitted the Okoro household was a competitive one but said it was definitely a positive.

She added: "It can get competitive, but it never gets too bad, because we all do different events.

"The thing is that we've pretty much done every sport there is together. We started playing basketball for two to three years, alongside athletics.

"It's been really cool watching each other pick and choose their own sport. We all found our own niches and I think that helps.

"They'll be cheering me when I face Jenny Meadows and Marilyn Okoro [no relation] at the Aviva Trials and I'll be doing the same for them."

Edirin added: "We encourage and drive each other. If somebody gets a personal best, we ALL want a personal best. We all live and breathe athletics, but it's never too much of a problem."

The championships take place at Birmingham's Alexander Stadium from July 10-12. Tickets can be bought at www.uka.org.uk or on 0800 0556056.