Benfleet's "adopted" high jumper Tyrone Peacock has set his sights on the Millennium Olympics - after a new personal best earned him silvers in the national championships of both Britain and his native South Africa.

The 22-year-old, a sports massage therapist at Benfleet Physiotherapy, says his comeback season, after a shin injury three years ago, has probably surpassed even his own hopes.

Tyrone, who moved to south Essex after marrying Benfleet high jumper Julie Major, praised new coach Trevor Llewellyn, one of the UK's leading trainers.

He said: "Trevor has been helping with my run-up and take-off after I trained with myself over the winter.

" It's usually thought that the tighter your running curve the better you jump, but my arc has gone out by three to four feet."

Tyrone leapt 2 metres 17 cm to finish runners up at the British AAA Championships - pipping his previous record of 2.16.

However, his biggest encouragement came in failure: "The bar just tickled off at my first and third attempts at 2.22m.

"Normally I make 2.15 and then do poorly when I go for 2.20, so I'm confident I can make the 2.20 mark this summer.

"My main aim is to make 2.28 next year - the mark you need for the Olympics - which would probably make me the number one in South Africa."

Tyrone, ranked fifth in the UK and third in his country of birth, is in the middle of a four-year qualifying stint for Britain under ancestral rules.

He admitted: "I'm not sure where my future in International running is, but I know some people over here are sceptical because I'm from South Africa.

"I'd point out that I'm based in England, I compete in the domestic league for Shaftesbury, and the only event I contest in South Africa is the national championships."

He finds financing his high jumping all over Britain a constant problem, explaining: "So much money goes on travel and the right diet and supplements.

"It would be brilliant to get a sponsored car, but any sot of sponsorship would be very helpful."

If you can help, call Tyrone at Benfleet Physiotherapy on 01268 751181.

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