HYNDBURN AC starlet Hashain Eshan played a starring role this weekend after emulating the likes of Olympic medallists Kelly Sotherton and Mark Lewis-Francis by scooping bronze at the Aviva Athletics Academy Sportshall Finals in Birmingham.

The 13-year-old was competing in the under 13 boys triple jump and finished third at the flagship junior athletics development event of the year with a best effort of 7.44m.

Eshan, who lives in Accrington, also took part in the two-lap race but failed to add to his medal haul as he finished 21st with a time of 23.5 seconds.

His best friend at Hollins Technology College, Jayden Coyne, excelled in the four-lap race, coming ninth with a time of 49 seconds, and 15th overal in the long jump.

After writing his name into the Sportshall history books alongside the likes of Sotherton and Lewis-Francis, who tasted success in 1992 and 1998 respectively, Eshan was left grinning from ear to ear.

“I am really happy because I was not expecting to get a medal in this event,” said Eshan.

“To have got bronze gives me real confidence in my ability.

“It has been a really fun day and I enjoyed it hugely. Competing against people of such ability is really great for your own development and it also is nice to be able to take home a nice shiny medal.

“It’s great fun to be part of a team and one day I hope to be part of the GB and NI team as a professional athlete.”

The national final in Birmingham is part of the Aviva Athletics Academy, which encourages and enables children to get involved in athletics.

And Ehsan’s efforts at the LG Arena didn’t go unnoticed with current Aviva GB & NI Team high jumper Robbie Grabarz there to cheer on the competitors.

“It is nice to see youngsters like Hashain having fun, enjoying athletics and that is how it should be really,” Grabarz said.