Richard Kilty: 'A few people called me a one hit wonder - I don't think they should do that again'

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Teesside sprinter Richard Kilty was left beaming in Prague after landing European Indoor Championship 60m gold.

Kilty, from Stockton, a winner in last year’s World Indoor Championships, clocked 6.51 seconds in the final, easing away from his opponents after a powerful final 20m. CJ Ujah, expected to be Kilty’s greatest rival, was disqualified for a false start.

“It feels amazing, I’ve won everything I can indoors now and it’s a real honour to come out here and represent Great Britain,” said Kilty. “After my semi-final I didn’t think anyone could stop me after that performance and I knew I had to come out here and get from A to B and as long as I did that I was going to take the victory, I was fearless coming into this.

“A few people have called me a one hit wonder and counted me out again and I don’t think they should do that again.

“I came out here and I’m a fearless competitor and I knew going into this that I could take the victory and I had no doubt whatsoever.

“A few people did doubt me but hopefully we can continue this going forwards and I want to defend the title next year.”

Kilty, 25, is determined to prove his worth over 100m now this summer.

“Sub 10 seconds is the plan outdoors and that’s been the plan since October,” he said.

And he added: “I’ll probably go home now and break myself back down and then build up for another big peak again.

“Last year was difficult because I wasn’t in the physical shape but when I am I don’t think anyone can break me mentally.

“I’m a fearless warrior on the track and I come alive on the battlefield and it’s something I love to do and I am really enjoying myself.”

Meanwhile, Thornaby’s Rabah Yousif was left bitterly disappointed after Great Britain failed to medal in the 4x400m. Yousif, running the last leg, was never in with a shot of challenging for a medal after an embarrassing first leg change over involving Conrad Williams.

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