St Martin-in-the-Fields High School For Girls - a Church of England School in South London

We were delighted to welcome Old Girl Kristal Awauah back to St Martin's to talk to our students about her career as a GB athelete and to inspire them in their own dreams and aspirations. Kristal spoke of her driving ambition to become a top athlete and the hard work and commitment it has taken to get her to where she is - a member of Team GB. The students were inspired by her story and delighted to welcome her back to her old school. Kristal described her years at St Martin's as 'the best'. We wish her all the very best in her athletics career, particularly with her sights set on the next Olympic Games. Her dedication and determination, coupled with great talent, were a real inspiration and we know they will take her far.

At just 18 years of age, Kristal Awauah has already propelled to athletic excellence. Sport was a common feature in Kristal’s childhood in Tulse Hill, South West London where she grew up and attended St Martin's from the age of 11. She participated in football, tennis and even BMX biking to name a few, but she knew that she wanted to be a professional athlete since she was a youngster. Her exceptional ability lay in the foundations of athletics and this is the career she has been pursuing since her latter teens. With her former experience as an army cadet she was no stranger to hard work and determination and she has been excelling in athletics since 2017. As a sprint specialist, she is now ranked as the number one under 20 female in the country over 100m and 60m. With the achievement of several domestic championship accolades, she is now focused on duplicating that success on the international stage.

With Kristal’s humble beginnings, she knows the influence that a strong support network can have as a driver of dreams for young people. She uses her experience and personal story to inspire and encourage other young people to follow their dreams to success.

Some of her current achievements include being 2018 number 1 under-20 over 100m in Europe and 100m gold medallist at Manchester International meet. In 2019, Kristal has so far competed in the British indoor championships where she was 60m bronze medallist and the Berling Istaf Indoor where she was 60m gold medallist.

Follow Kristal on Twitter @KristalAwuah and instagram.com/kristalawuah

Old Girl turned GB athlete