JOE FERGUSON has fully committed to athletics for 2025, changing coach and quitting his job as he looks to qualify for a second World Championships.
The 24-year-old from Darton, a 200m specialist, is now training under Richard Kilty, the former Commonwealth and world indoor champion who took relay bronze at the Paris Olympics last year before becoming a coach.
The group of sprinters, which includes Louie Hinchliffe who also won bronze in Paris and left Carl Lewis to train under Kilty, train in Sheffield and Middlesbrough.
Ferguson said: “New agent, new coach, quit my job – I’ve made some big life changes so I can get the best out of this year.
“I have always looked up to Richard. He’s won numerous medals at the top level. It’s really good to have someone like him as a mentor.
“He’s also coaching Louie Hinchliffe, the fastest man in Britain, so there is no one better to push me.”
Ferguson has stopped working part-time at a jewellers to focus purely on running.
“I managed to save up a decent amount from working and decided I really go for it this year.
“Working made the schedule tough.
“I cook four meals a day from scratch now. I spend an hour stretching and getting massages. I go to bed early.
“That’s all possible because I am doing it full-time. It’s paying off because I feel brilliant.
“I am moving a lot quicker in training and pushing myself a lot harder and my body has stayed together.”
Ferguson reached the semi-finals of the World Championships in 2022 but the last few years have been riddled with injury including a freak accident when another runner crashed into him while warming up for an event.
“The last couple of years have been tough. 2023 was out of my hands with the accident which derailed my year before it got started.
“In 2024, I was injured for 20 weeks and never really got going.
“I have been healthy all through this winter.
“This is probably the best shape I have felt in since 2022 when I ran my PB.”
Joe and his new team are due to spend three weeks training in South Africa in January.
He is unsure yet whether he will try to qualify for the European or World Championships during the indoor season with his main aim the outdoor World Championships in Tokyo in September, which is later than usual.
“The British Championships are not until August. I have the full season to get to my peak and get the qualifying time for Tokyo.
“It’s 20.16 which is the quickest ever and marginally faster than my PB, but I know it’s achievable.
“The main thing is staying fit and healthy. My coach Richard has put a big emphasis on that.
“You have to be on the start line.
“It’s been a long steady slow build to peak fitness.
“This is the first time in a while I’ve actually been excited going towards a new year.
“My mental state and morale is much more positive. I was trying to claw my way back before. Now I am visualising pushing on past my best.”
