February Sports Star of the Month: Israel Olatunde

ISRAEL Olatunde (Tallaght AC) made it three senior indoor titles in a row, matching his three 100m outdoor titles at the National Senior Indoor Championships which took place at the Sport Ireland National Indoor Arena in February.

A member of Tallaght Athletics Club, Olatunde warmed up through the rounds, posting 6.85 in the heats, 6.72 in the semi-final, before posting a gold medal run of 6.71 in the final.

Olatunde was pushed all the way in a final stacked with a host of emerging sprint talent. Bori Akinola (UCD AC) 6.76 followed Olatunde home, with fellow Tallaght AC athlete Sean Aigboboh (Tallaght AC) 6.77 completing the podium.

All eight sprint finalists would break the seven second mark on the day. Israel Olatunde since competed at the World Indoor Athletics Championships in Glasgow with the Tallaght National sprint champion finishing fourth in his 60m heat despite posting a season’s best time of 6.70.

“It was great to represent Tallaght AC at the National Championships,” Israel told The Echo.

“I defended my 60-metre title, and it was great to achieve that with the Tallaght vest on” he added.