Joy and heartbreak for Sport Newcastle duo

Sport Newcastle-backed sprinters Joy Eze and Etienne Maughan enjoyed mixed fortunes at the 2025 UK Athletics Championships

6 Aug 2025 • 1 min read

2024 Sport Newcastle Rising Star Etienne Maughan

Joy Eze missed out on a medal by one hundredth of a second as the North East star mixed it with the best of British sprinting.

The Sport Newcastle-backed pocket rocket finished fourth in the 100m at this month’s UK Athletics Championships.

And one of the country’s hottest prospects could well have pinched a podium place had a gruelling three-race series not taken its toll.

Coach Mike Donnelly explained: “Joy did remarkably well considering she had to run a morning heat as she wasn't one of the top eight who got a bye into the semi-finals.

“It made a long day for her and put her at a disadvantage but we all know she is a fighter.”

Joy added: “I really appreciate the ongoing support from Sport Newcastle.

“It has been difficult to balance training and academic work but thankfully I've had time off from university since May."

Elsewhere 2024 Sport Newcastle Rising Star Etienne Maughan must have believed she could bag a medal after clocking a personal best in the semi-finals of the 100m hurdles.

But the Gateshead Harrier was left cursing her luck after a dramatic race saw four finalists crash out before the finish line.

Sport Newcastle’s Mike Booth said: “The UK Championships summed up the unpredictability of sport but Joy and Etienne did our region proud.

“Once again they proved they can compete with the very best in British sprinting and it’s fantastic to see both of them flying the flag for the North East’s emerging talent on the national stage.”

January