After a long break from training throughout the winter period due to a niggling injury, Monmouth sprinter Ryan Lee missed the first three indoor meetings in Cardiff and instead of competing was a spectator at these events.

The first meeting was definatley a baptism of fire, it was the last weekend at the National Indoor Athletics Centre in Cardiff.

This was the Welsh Under 15 and Under 20 Championships and on his 17th birthday, Ryan was now competing in the Under 20 age group.

Due to his times based on last year's performances, Ryan qualified for the 200m.

He finished second in his heat then in the semi final just missed out on a final spot but considering the quality of opposition and only limited track training sessions it was a great result.

Last weekend, 23rd and 24th February, Ryan qualified to compete in the England Athletics U15/ U17 and U20 Championships at the NIA in Birmingham, this was an even greater challenge as most of the UK junior athletes were competing.

At the end of last season, Ryan ran a one-off outdoor 400m race in Cardiff in a time of 49.45, which qualified him to run in the 400m at Birmingham.

Ryan lined up and had the previous champion in his heat, who is almost two years his senior.

To everyone's surprise Ryan finished second so this qualified him for a semi-final place.

The semi-final was very competitve and Ryan finished in a brillant third spot in a time of 49.80 – this was the first time that Ryan had ever run the 400m indoors.

In the 200m, Ryan finished his heat in a time of 23.01, a new PB, but not enough to make the semi final.

This 400m performance has got to be Ryan's best achievment to date as this one event has now placed Ryan at number 15 in the UK for under 20s, and in Wales at number three.

Ryan would like to say thanks all of the support he has had, especially his coach and to Dave Price his physio who has helped with his injury over the winter period

Ryan now has to wait and see who the Welsh selectors pick for some of the upcoming prestigious events, but surely on this performance Ryan should be included.