Charles Hicks, Stanford’s NCAA champion and recent signee of a professional contract, is gearing up to compete in the men’s 5000m at the 2023 European Athletics U23 Championships in Espoo, Finland. The British athlete is keen to continue his winning streak in this prestigious event.
Charles Hicks Hunts more success at European Athletics U23 Championships
Hicks, a double gold medalist in the U23 race at the SPAR European Cross Country Championships (2021 and 2022), is no stranger to victory. His latest triumph was in Turin last December, adding to his NCAA cross country title from the month before in November.
Read more: Results-Grovdal and Ingebrigtsen dominate at 2022 European Cross Country Championships
The 21-year-old has also demonstrated his talent on the track, securing second place in the 10,000m at the NCAA Outdoor Championships this spring. His record boasts impressive personal bests of 13:24.58 in the 5000m and 27:40.16 in the 10,000m.
As part of his professional journey, Hicks will join the ranks of the Oregon-based Bowerman Track Club, sponsored by Nike. He will train alongside renowned fellow pros such as Grant Fisher, Mo Ahmed, and Cooper Teare.
However, the competition at the 2023 European Athletics U23 Championships is expected to be fierce. The men’s 5000m race will feature Europe’s rising stars, including Norway’s Abdullahi Dahir Rabi and Denmark’s Joel Ibler Lillesø. Both athletes have recently clocked personal bests and are aiming to surpass them this week.
Rabi recently clocked a personal best of 13:34.28 for fourth place at the Stockholm Diamond League meeting, while Lillesø, the 2021 European Junior 5000m champion, boasts a personal best of 13:29.58.
Italy’s Francesco Guerra, who has a personal best of 13:35.93, is another athlete to watch. Guerra is expected to vie for a podium finish.
Watch The European Athletics U23 Championships live
Fans can catch all the action from the Espoo 2023 European Athletics U23 Championships live on the European Athletics website.
Additional streams are available on the All-Athletics platform. This championship promises to be a thrilling display of young athletic talent, with Hicks and his competitors vying for glory on the European stage.
