Joel Leon Benitez breaks championship record in Birmingham

Joel Leon Benitez bettered the 19-year-old English Schools inter boys pole vault record by one centimetre with 4.71m in Birmingham on Friday.

The Notts athlete went on to attempt what would have been an overall personal best height of 4.83m but it wasn't to be, though he was thrilled to have come away with gold and have written his name in the ESAA record books.

"I'm over the moon," he said. "I would have liked to have got a PB but of course the championship record is amazing."

On breaking a record which is four years older than he is, this year's under-17 national indoor champion added: "It's crazy. It's amazing. The crowd were so good."

» See the July 17 issue of AW for 14 pages of English Schools reports, photos and results, while further footage from the event can be found here