PartialLogo
News

Watch: James Doyle and Harry Bentley go head to head in athletics showdown

Katarina Johnson-Thompson put James Doyle and Harry Bentley through their paces over four challenges
Katarina Johnson-Thompson put James Doyle and Harry Bentley through their paces over four challengesCredit: QIPCO British Champions Series

Leading jockeys James Doyle and Harry Bentley swapped the racecourse for the athletics track by squaring up to compete in the javelin, high jump, 200 metres and long jump.

Commonwealth Games heptathlon champion and QIPCO British Champions Series ambassador Katarina Johnson-Thompson tutored the pair.

They learned how to hold a javelin and the best technique for tackling the high jump before going head to head and putting their new skills into action.

Speaking after the showdown, Bentley said: "It was brilliant and I have the utmost respect for Katarina and other athletes like her because there is so much skill involved.

"James and I found the fitness side all right but the movements are totally different from what we normally do so that was difficult."

Despite being close friends, the Newmarket-based riders showed the same ruthless nature that has seen them become two of the top flat jockeys in Britain.

Doyle said: "Overall I think Katarina was impressed with our efforts and it was great fun to do something completely different from what we’re used to."

Harry Bentley (left) and James Doyle (right) are no strangers to competing against one-another
Harry Bentley (left) and James Doyle (right) are no strangers to competing against one-anotherCredit: Mark Cranham

Johnson-Thompson, who is set to compete at the Anniversary Games in London this weekend and the European Athletics Championships next month, was impressed with their efforts.

She said: "There are a lot of similarities in how we train in the gym and they picked up the heptathlon challenge events very quickly.

"Their technique could do with some work but I could never ride a racehorse like they do, so I think they have more of a chance of becoming multi-event athletes than I do of becoming a jockey!”


If you are interested in this, you might also like:

Watch Hollie Doyle face off with Arsenal's Leah Williamson in fitness showdown

Leighton Aspell and Tom Varndell share the spoils in fitness face-off

Published on 17 July 2018inNews

Last updated 11:25, 18 July 2018

iconCopy