A BASINGSTOKE athlete broke his dad’s club record to win a place on the team to represent England. 

Caius Joseph broke his dad Rafer Joseph’s record in combined events indoor campaign at the Southern Counties Champs (SEAA) to represent the country in Tallinn in Estonia for the World Tour silver event.

Rafer, who is now a coach for Basingstoke and Mid Hants Athletics club, is a former Commonwealth athlete – having competed in the decathlon event for England in the 1994 Commonwealth Games in Victoria British Columbia in Canada and again four years later in 1998 at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

His son Caius scored 5,449 to finish fourth and win a place in the England team for Tallinn and a place at the UK Champs to be held on February 25-26.

Meanwhile, Basingstoke athletes Laura Darcey and Sophie Doherty both won the SW and U20 titles respectively at the SEAA. George Asprey won bronze in the SM.

Dan Thomas and Jordanna Morrish also competed in the event along with Caius Joseph, George Asprey and Laura Darcey.

UK Champs qualification was at stake with only the top 10 combined eventers in the UK getting invites.

Unfortunately, Tom Chandler and Sophie Doherty were unable to contest due to last-minute injuries but the rest of the athletes did exceptionally well.

After Caius broke his dad’s record, Dan had a fantastic weekend adding 500 points to his best indoor heptathlon with George and Laura only just missing out on PBs.

Laura did however get a place at the UK Champs after finishing fifth in the competition.

In Tallinn, Caius and Jordanna had great competitions with further seasons best and they move to the UK Champs in a good place.

As talent event lead for Combined events (England Athletics), coach Rafer Joseph was also able to offer a development coaching role to Ben Hazell.

This meant that nearly half the team members who travelled to Estonia were from Basingstoke & Mid Hants AC.

Meanwhile, Basingstoke athlete Daisy Allford won a bronze medal at the England Athletics U20/U17 & U15 Championships in Sheffield.

The medal puts her in the top 10 rankings at no. eight for girls U15 800m.