Double-medal winning sprinter Kyle Powell has called his experience at the IWAS World Junior Championships the best of his life.

The 19-year-old Oaklands College student won silver medals in the 100m and 200m at Stoke Mandeville, while also recording new personal bests in both events; all at his first major disability championship.

“It was a bit of a shock; I couldn’t quite comprehend it because it was my first major,” Powell told the Herts Ad.

“It was the best week of my life. Athletics brings people together from all over the world and it’s given me something I couldn’t have dreamed of. This has been the best experience of my life and it can only get better.”

Powell admitted the format of the championship was a bit of an unknown to him as, for the first time, he had to qualify for the final through heats.

The changes had little affect on him though, as he dipped under his previous personal bests in the 100m and 200m. That, he says, is what he is most proud of.

“It’s small margins. It’s all about PBs; that’s how you know you’re improving. You could come first or last but as long as you get a new PB then you’re getting better,” he said.

Powell is now enjoying a well-earned break. He is next in action at the UK School Games in September but it is only a run out so he won’t be in full-time training ahead of it.

Before that he is attending the European Championships in Swansea. The sprinter missed out on selection but fellow Oaklands athlete Olivia Breen is competing so he is going to support her.

“My main aim this season was to go to the senior European Championships. I wasn’t selected for that but I’m going to cheer on Olivia,” he said.

“I’m also using it as motivation for next year; that’s the aim for next season: to be selected for the world championships.”