800m
One to Watch Out For Christian Formosa – 800m by Paul Grech
St. Patrick’s AC has never enjoyed a reputation of being a club renown for it’s track athletes, focusing instead on long distance events. However, all that could be about to change thanks also to a good number of young athletes coming through the ranks.
Perhaps the most promising of the group is Christian Formosa whose preferred event is the 800m. This year he managed to win three of the four aggregates over that distance in his category (Boys 14-15) and finished second on the other occasion.
His introduction to the sport came when he was just four years old when he used to watch his brother compete in various events. Eventually he joined St. Patrick’s AC where he met coach Rose Tabone.
“She was the one who realised that I was better suited to take part in the 800m,” he explains, failing to hide his respect for the coach.
“It was quite clear that he is a natural talent,” continues Tabone, a view that is backed up by the good results he racked up in a number of different events – so much that took part in the Crystal Palace meet in the 100m where his time was of 11.47 – “but it quickly became clear to me that he would do better to concentrate on the 800m”
His Personal Best over this distance is the 2.13.04 that he clocked at the last Aggregate of the season. “My aim is to take another second off that time by the end of the year.”
Asked about what attracts him to athletics, Christian replied that “there is a lot of satisfaction when you win. Athletics isn’t like football where you depend on the rest of the team. Everything that you achieve is down your abilities and hard work.”
For Tabone, he is the ideal athlete. “Christian is very hard working. He is doing quite well. He does whatever you tell him without ever complaining. His time improves practically every time that he competes. He is very competitive and determined. I’m certain that if he keeps progressing this way he has a very bright future ahead of him.”
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