Shaikira King: Ratcliffe’s Rising Star in the World of Athletics
Ratcliffe College student and Sports Scholar, Shaikira King (Year 12), is currently the UK’s and Europe’s fastest ever 15 years old at 800m and the third fastest ‘ALL-Time’ U17 runner in UK history.
She has had a phenomenal year achieving remarkable milestones on both national and international stages.
This Autumn, Shaikira, returned to Ratcliffe College Sixth Form as the youngest ever athlete (15 years) to be signed by Nike. Securing a British and European Record, followed by an International Silver Medal at the recent European Athletics U18 Championships, Slovakia (July 2024).
Securing her first GB Vest at the European Athletics U18 Championships, 2024
In April, Shaikira shattered both the British and European records in the 800m, instantly securing her spot for the European Athletics U18 Championships 2024. It is remarkable, at 15 years old, that Shaikira earned her spot on the U18 GB team, before her GSCE exams.
At her first major championships in late July, Shaikira claimed a Silver medal, (missing GOLD by 900th of a second – after tripping at 200m and fighting back from 4th place to 2nd), and then two weeks after the competition, broke her own U15 British and European 800m record; narrowly missing the U15 World Record by an astonishing 0.02 seconds, with 2:01:61.
This achievement, (achieved only 3 weeks after her 16th birthday) placed King second fastest globally at U18 level…
Competing at this past Summer’s European Championships is just a first glimpse of Shaikira’s representational honours and prospective career on the track, at World level. Keely Hodgkinson, among other past World Class athletic greats; such as Paula Radcliffe, Femke Bol, Jess Ennis and the like, have all medalled, or won European U18 titles in their careers.
“ …the Slovakia experience for me, was so amazing – especially the feeling that all the training had paid off – as I had to balance my Ratcliffe College GCSE exams, alongside my preparation for the European Championships…
“To represent Great Britain at the U18 European Championships was such an honour and winning a European SILVER medal at my first ‘major’ Championships – was surreal and meant so much…”
Silver Medal Triumph at SIAB International in Dublin
Back in March 2024, in a spectacular display of courage and athletic prowess, Shaikira secured another Silver medal, this time representing England in Cross Country, at the SIAB International in Dublin.
This achievement was particularly poignant following a distressing experience one week earlier, at the English Schools Cross country Finals; where Shaikira collapsed 5 metres from the finishing line – (40 metres ahead of the field in a guaranteed 1st place) – which left her feeling a little apprehensive about competing for England in the SIAB International the following weekend.
However – Shaikira’s ‘focused’ and ‘stoic’ personality ensured she confronted her fear for the International race for England; exploding from the start line in her signature style – positioning herself amongst the leading group for the first 4,000m of the 4,500m course.
It was then in the final 500metres that Shaikira felt confident in her energy levels and pushed forward to close the gap on the leaders again from 4th position to 2nd place, in a dramatic final effort, ensuring that she secured a Silver medal and eradicated any fear’s she had in her fitness and conditioning. Demonstrating such incredible ‘grit’ and ‘determination’ to overcome her anxiety – and fears following on from the previous Cross Country race.
Record-Breaking Performance at Loughborough
Later on in the summer, during an athletic meeting at Loughborough University in late July 2024, Shaikira lined up in a BMC (British Milers Club) 1500m race (her 3rd of the season), alongside male athletes.
Shaikira’s fierce, competitive spirit and tactical acumen shone through, especially during the gruelling third lap, where Shaikira achieved a new personal best time of 4 minutes and 13.41 seconds, cutting an astonishing 4 seconds off her previous, PB a time that would have made her a Gold medal contender, at the U18 European Championships, earlier on in Slovakia
Not only does this time place Shaikira among the elite in European and UK Athletics, but also ranks her as the third fastest “All-Time” U17 runner in UK history – astonishing!
The UK’s Youngest Nike Athlete
Adding to all these impressive accolades and representational honours from the 2024 season, Shaikira; along with her sister and fellow middle-distance athlete, Indienne (Old Ratcliffian’ 21), who presently trains with and is coached by the same coaching team as Keely Hodkinson in Wigan, have both been signed by Nike this summer. Indienne with a “support /development contract, while Shaikira, becoming the Youngest ‘Professional’ Track and Field athlete ever signed by Nike, at the age of 15,
Indeed, as one of the leading and aspiring GB middle-distance athletes, Shaikira was delighted to pick up her first Professional ‘Developmental’ Contract with Nike this summer. Celebrating her new brand deal, by signing at the London Nike Headquarters with a “signing on gift” to enjoy a visit and a shopping spree, on the same day, at the ‘flagship’ Nike Town Oxford Street store – all on Nike – what dreams are made of!
The future looks incredibly bright for Shaikira, as she embarks on a career on the European, and World stage. From all of us at Ratcliffe College, we are extremely proud of all your track achievements and dedication, alongside a rigorous weekly training schedule – here’s to another successful year on the track Shaikira!
Sports Scholarships at Ratcliffe College
Can you demonstrate outstanding sporting ability and potential in your chosen Sport, or one of Ratcliffe’s major Team Sports – Rugby, Hockey, Cricket, Athletics, Tennis or Netball?
Our Sport Scholarship applications (Year 7 and Year 12 only) are now open for September 2025 entry. The deadline for applications is Saturday 30th November 2024.
If you would like to find out more about the Scholarships programme at Ratcliffe, please contact our Admissions Team on 01509 817072 / admissions@ratcliffecollege.com, or visit:
