Wagga sprinting sensation Godfrey Okerenyang can now lay claim to being the fastest man in football.
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The 16-year-old Coolamon footballer upstaged some of the biggest names in the sport to claim the AFL grand final sprint on Saturday.
In front of 100,000 fans at the MCG, Okerenyang ran the race of his life to take out the annual sprint race at half-time in the AFL grand final.
He edged out fellow under 18 amateur footballer Melvin Monieh and Geelong speedster Jordan Murdoch as the trio cleared out from the remainder of the field.
Godfrey qualified for the race after winning the national under 18 final of the Gatorade 100, a series conducted to find the fastest young amateur footballer in the country.
Godfrey said the occasion proved to be better than he ever imagined.
“It was great. Better than I expected,” Godfrey said.
“It was just amazing and I’ve been getting recognised everywhere I’ve been since after the game, people stop me and say you’re the one who won the sprint, it’s so good.”
Godfrey said the nerves disappeared after winning the under 18 final on the MCG earlier in the day.
“I went into the first race and I wasn’t real nervous until I got out on the field,” he said.
“I didn’t get the best of starts, there were a few false starts, and I just ran my own race and won that.
“I was confident going into the next one and wasn’t nervous at all. I was just happy to make the final and be up against the AFL players.
“I watched the AFL heats and thought I could win the final. I was up against my friend again but I knew it was going to be out of us two, although the player from Geelong was fairly quick.”
Godfrey has watched the final on replay a couple of times since and believes he ran about a 10.80 for the 100 metres, a personal best.
“That was a personal best for me, that’s really quick on grass,” he said.
Godfrey picks up $1000 for winning and hopes the exposure can help open some doors.
“I think it will help a lot with my footy and all that,” he said.
Godfrey also said he was proud to win it for his club, Coolamon.
“I’m really proud. Most of them all watched it together and were screaming at the TV,” he said.
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