Win for Dobson at Loughborough International

Loughborough International is regarded as the foremost domestic curtain- raiser of the season for British top athletes; this year saw it celebrate its 60th anniversary.

On a hot summer Sunday, Dobson donned his nations vest to compete for the GB Junior team against senior teams from England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland, as well as a team from Loughborough University A.C and one made up of British Universities (BUCS) athletes. Invited guest Athletes showcased the best of the nations sporting talent.  Headlining the guest list and one of the major draws of the meet was Commonwealth Games Relay Gold medallist Richard Kilty due to run in the relay and 200m.

A rare opportunity to run a 4 x 100m in a meet such as the LIA also gave a senior GB Men’s team a chance to get back on the track after their success at the Commonwealth Games a month ago.  Despite walking out on the track next to Olympic giants, Dobson looked composed and relaxed as he took his place in lane two alongside veteran International Aikines-Aryeetey – on his outside!  An exciting race saw Dobson receive and pass the baton safely round, running a strong, long second leg, the GB Juniors crossed the line a stride apart from their senior counter parts in second place in a time of 39.53s, just 0.14s behind the winners –  only later to discover they had been placed first following disqualification of the Senior team.

Sadly- the much anticipated face off with Kilty in the 200m was not to be, as the Olympian pulled out after the relay, leaving Dobson to race against stiff competition from the likes of the recently crowned BUCS double sprint champion Marvon Popoola, on his outside and Welsh International Tom Williams on his inside, as well as seniors from the other teams.

But Dobson’s sensational season continued from the gun, as he streaked past the field and turning into the home straight had already set his mark as the one to catch.  Having taken an early lead, he never let go and maintained his top speed to the line, finishing over half a second ahead of Senior athlete Elliot Powell in a time of 20.78s (-1.5w), claiming full Match points for the GB Junior team. LIA was his third race ran within the World U20 Championship qualifying mark.