Fresh from wowing Birmingham crowds by becoming the UK Indoor 60m champion, Croydon speedster Cheyanne Evans-Gray is looking ahead to perform on the global stage at the upcoming World Indoor Championships.

The only woman in the field with the world qualifying standard before last weekend’s trip to the Utilita Arena, thanks to a 7.22 run out in February, Evans-Gray produced a sensational performance to clock 7.25 in the semis before reproducing the time in the final to take the gold. 

“British Indoors was a great experience,” said the 23-year-old.

“It was the first time I’d gone to British Champs and been a finalist, so to actually come out and win as well was so good – I was really happy with my performance. 

“It was always a goal of mine to go to worlds, but I didn’t think I’d actually be going, so it was a great experience to be crowned British Champion as part of my journey to getting there.” 

Having been crowned BUCS champion in 2020, breaking the BUCS record in the process with her time of 7.28, Evans-Gray’s potential has been clear for some time. 

But her journey has not been without its challenges and, just a year ago, the Croydon Harriers sprinter was close to giving up the sport altogether following an injury and some sub-par performances. 

“I’m so glad I didn’t quit,” she said. “I was injured last year, and training wasn’t going as well, but I changed coaches and things eventually just fell into place. 

“To now be going to a World Indoors is amazing and I’m really excited to get to Belgrade. 

“Now I’m back to training as normal, nothing out of the box. The goal was to get to Worlds so now I’ve booked my ticket, I’m just going to have fun and enjoy it.  

“I don’t want to put too much pressure on myself so I’m just going to go for the experience, have fun and see how I do when I’m out there. 

“I think it will definitely be an experience and I’m looking forward to the challenge.  

“I feel like I’ve raced against these UK girls for a while now so to be in a team with those girls will be a good experience for me. I feel like I know more about myself as well so I’m really excited to go.” 

Ealing Times: Evans-Gray athletics career is financially supported by a partnership between Entain – owner of Ladbrokes and Coral – and SportsAid, set up in 2019 and part of the company’s innovative Pitching In initiative. Evans-Gray athletics career is financially supported by a partnership between Entain – owner of Ladbrokes and Coral – and SportsAid, set up in 2019 and part of the company’s innovative Pitching In initiative. 

Evans-Gray now trains as a full-time athlete but just a few months ago she was working at Ladbrokes in Croydon as a customer service manager as she also juggled her degree in Sports Science at the University of East London. 

Her athletics career is financially supported by a partnership between Entain – owner of Ladbrokes and Coral – and SportsAid, set up in 2019 and part of the company’s innovative Pitching In initiative. 

“It was good working for Ladbrokes,” Evans-Gray added. “It fitted in with my lifestyle back then, but now I’m able to take athletics more seriously and I’m able to train full time, which is great.  

“It’s really nice to look back on the days I worked for them and they helped me out so much. Now, I’m really putting my athletics first and reaping the benefits of it. 

“SportsAid have also been massive for me and I couldn’t have done as much as I have without them – I’m really grateful for their help.”

And, speaking on International Women's Day, Evans-Gray puts much of her success down to the inspiration of incredible women in the sporting world, turning to her Jamaican roots to find the perfect role model to keep her motivated. 

“My athletics role model growing up was Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce from Jamaica,” she said.

“My first proper memory of the Olympics was in Beijing 2008, and she won there – I had just started athletics around that time as well so I thought ‘oh my god, I could do that!’ She’s my biggest role model. My mum’s Jamaican as well so it’s in my blood.

“I feel like I still have so much to do for myself, but I hope my story from almost giving up to persevering and keeping going will help inspire young girls coming through. We’re having a time where a lot of the older athletes are retiring, and it’s the next generation coming through now.

"I just want to have a good story to inspire people, the same way Shelly-Ann inspired me."

The World Indoor Championships begin on March 18 in Belgrade - and looks set to be the first step on the ladder to international success for Evans-Gray.

Entain, owner of Ladbrokes and Coral, is proud to be championing the next generation of British sporting heroes by providing talented young athletes with financial support and personal development opportunities in partnership with SportsAid. Visit entaingroup.com to find out more.