Tamworth Athletic Club

Nathan Woodward

Nathan Woodward winning the U23 European Championships in 2011

Nathan Woodward was a British track and field athlete who specializes in the 400 metre hurdles. He emerged from Tamworth Athletic Club in the UK and quickly gained recognition for his talent in hurdling. Born in 1989, Woodward became a prominent figure in British athletics during the late 2000s and early 2010s.

Key Career Highlights:

  • Early Development: Nathan Woodward started his athletics career at a young age, training at Tamworth Athletic Club. His talent for hurdling quickly became apparent, and he began competing in national junior competitions.
  • Breakthrough in 2010: Woodward’s career took off in 2010 when he won the British Under-23 Championships and posted strong performances in international competitions. He finished second at the British Championships that year and started to solidify his position as one of the UK’s top hurdlers.
  • European Under-23 Championships: In 2011, Woodward made a significant mark at the European Under-23 Championships, where he won the silver medal in the 400 meters hurdles, solidifying his reputation on the European stage.
  • 2011 World Championships: Woodward’s standout year came in 2011, when he was selected to represent Great Britain at the IAAF World Championships in Daegu, South Korea. Although he did not medal, competing on the world stage was a major milestone in his career.
  • Commonwealth Games: Woodward was also selected to represent England at the Commonwealth Games, further establishing his status as an elite athlete in British track and field.

Career Challenges:

Despite early success, Nathan Woodward faced several challenges in his career, including injuries that hampered his ability to consistently perform at the highest level. Despite having the ‘A’ Standard for the 2012 London Olympics, Nathan was unable to secure his place due to injury. Click to read more on this from the Tamworth Herald.

Legacy:

Woodward remains a respected figure in British hurdling. His career, marked by dedication and perseverance, serves as an inspiration to young athletes, particularly those from his home club, Tamworth Athletic Club. His contribution to UK athletics, especially in the 400 metre hurdles, is fondly remembered by the track and field community.

Domestic Championships Record
2004 – AAA Indoor U15 Championships 800m silver
2005 – AAA U17 Combined Events Championships pentathlon gold. ESAA Championships 400mh silver
2006 – AAA U17 Combined Events Championships pentathlon gold, 800m gold. AAA U20 Championships 400mh bronze. ESAA Championships 400mh gold. AAA U17 Championships 400mh gold
2007 – ESAA Championships 400mh gold
2008 – England Athletics U20 Open Championships 400mh gold
2009 – BUCS Championships 400mh 1st ht
2010 – Aviva European Trials & UK Championships 400mh 6th
2011 – Aviva U23 European Trials & UK Championships 400mh gold. Aviva World Trials & UK Championships 400mh gold
2012 – Aviva Olympic Trials & UK Championships 400mh bronze

Major Championships and International Record
2012 – European Athletics Championships 400mh 7th
2011 – IAAF World Championships 400mh 6th sf. European U23 Championships 400mh silver
2010 – European Championships 400mh 4th sf
2008 – World Juniors 400mh ht
2007 – European Junior Championships 400mh 7th

Before focusing on the 400m hurdles, Woodward was a middle-distance runner and had experimented with the multi-events.

He participated in Aviva Star:track and Aviva Sportshall events as a youngster” (Power of 10 – Accessed 2024)

Notable best performances

400mh – 48.71s

400m – 46.82s

800m – 1:51.20s (i)

High Jump 1.95m

Long Jump 6.36m