AW discovers how the daughter of Sharron Davies and Derek Redmond is following in famous footsteps

With two sporting greats as parents, Grace Davies-Redmond has always been destined for success. The 16-year-old s father is Derek Redmond, the former UK 400m record-holder who was part of Britain s winning 4x400m team at the 1991 World Championships. Meanwhile, her mother is Sharron Davies, who won silver in the 400m freestyle at the 1980 Olympics.

Last year, Grace (pictured above, left, with heptathlete Morgan Lake) won the English Schools Combined Events under-17 title and placed second in the England Athletics equivalent, the latter with a PB score of 4552 points. But the versatile teenager s talents were not limited to multi events alone, as she placed second in the English Schools and UK School Games 300m hurdles, finishing 2013 with a PB of 43.61.

Reflecting on her first season involving structured athletics training, Grace says: I was just kind of taking it as an ‘experience year . I ran really badly in the heats at English Schools due to nerves, but I scraped into the final. Having achieved my aim, I was a lot calmer and knew what was coming and was shocked to place second.”

She adds: I went to the combined events with the intention of medalling. After a disastrous high jump and recording two no-jumps in long jump, I ran a huge 800m PB and threw a javelin PB as well. It was great to finally be national champion. Looking back, it is mind-blowing that I had the opportunity to represent England three times.”

“I will miss heptathlon as it was so much fun and I have made some amazing friends”

Now focusing on 300m hurdles, Grace is part of a group coached by James Hillier at Bath. I am really grateful to James for helping me out,” she says. It s really nice to be in a group and have others around pushing you and making you enjoy training.”

The youngster also enjoys sharing the track with world-class 400m hurdlers. I ll be sat on the track stretching and Dai Greene or Eilidh Child will come and sit near me and start stretching too. It is surreal! I feel very privileged to be able to learn from so many amazing people,” she explains.

On 2014, she says: So far, this season hasn t been great for me but I m taking a few steps back to go forward and hoping it all comes together next year. I am really focusing on what I want to achieve in the future and will do some flat 400s as well as 400m hurdles to prepare myself for under-20.”

However, she adds: I will miss heptathlon as it was so much fun and I have made some amazing friends.”

Grace has also inherited her parents ambition, adding: I want to be the best of the best! I am prepared to be knocked down, fall over hurdles and have disastrous races, but I am willing to work my hardest.”

“Ultimately I want to make my own story and achieve my own medals and successes”

On her parents, she says: I really look up to my mum. She trained so hard from the age of eight, went to her first Olympics when she was 13, and competed in her last international when she was 31 after having a baby!

She drives me around every week, deals with the mood after bad races, pays for everything and gives me the support I need to improve.

My dad s story inspires me too,” she says, about a father who ran 44.50 for 400m. But ultimately I want to make my own story and achieve my own medals and successes.”

Having played netball for England under-17s, Grace is a talented all-rounder but says: I made the decision to stick with athletics and I am so happy I made that choice.”

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

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

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