Ireland's fastest schoolgirl Tiffany Nwaedozie races to Echo Women in Sport award

For Tiffany Nwaedozie, it all started with a surprise.

“I used to be really slow,” she says with a smile. “But then in first class I had an epiphany and suddenly I was really fast.” 

It was at Star of the Sea NS in Passage West, under the encouragement of teachers Ms Aileen Hunter and Ms Celine Hyde, that the spark was first lit.

A maiden appearance at primary school city sports led to an unlikely win, the first ever from her school, followed quickly by another the following year. It wasn’t long before those around her realised this was something worth nurturing.

They were right.

Fast forward a few years and Nwaedozie has firmly established herself as Ireland’s fastest schoolgirl, claiming national titles in both the 100m and 200m at the recent schools championships.

Representing Ashton School, in her first year at the school, she blazed to gold in testing conditions, stopping the clock at 11.91 (+2.3m/s) over 100m before returning just over an hour later to take the 200m crown in 25.01 (+1.4m/s).

“It was lashing rain,” she recalls. “I was soaked and freezing, and I forgot to bring a change of clothes. 

After the 100m I was just dead, but I did enough in the 200m to get the medal.” 

'Enough' might be an understatement. In claiming both titles, the Belgooly AC athlete underlined her status as one of the brightest sprint talents in the country, a rise built on consistency, resilience and a quiet determination.

Her journey through athletics has been anything but straightforward.

While early success came quickly, including a first All-Ireland medal at U11 level after posting the fastest time of the day in a 60m event, there have been setbacks along the way.

“I’ve had seasons where it didn’t go my way,” she says. “But I just kept at it.” 

At Belgooly, she found the environment to thrive, guided by coaches Colette Kelly and Eugene McVeigh.

Training regularly at MTU, her commitment is clear, five to six sessions a week, combining track work, gym sessions and technical drills designed to sharpen every aspect of her sprinting.

“I’d start with a lap, stretch, do drills like A-skips and B-skips, then stride outs and block starts,” she explains.

You’re warming up for an hour for 100 metres, but that’s what it takes.” 

ZONED IN

That dedication is paying off. This season, Tiffany made the decision to focus solely on sprints, stepping away from long jump to pursue qualification standards for the European stage.

It proved a wise choice, as she hit the required mark indoors earlier this year and has now been selected to represent Ireland at the U18 European Championships in Rieti, Italy, departing on July 13.

It’s a step into the unknown for the Cork teenager, and one she is approaching with a mix of excitement and nerves.

“It is pretty scary,” she admits. “You’re racing the best in Europe, and I haven’t done anything that big before. But my goal is to try and make the final and see how it goes.” 

Beyond the medals and the milestones, what stands out most about Nwaedozie is her grounded outlook. Despite her rapid ascent, there is no sense of ego, just a clear understanding of the work required and the pressures that come with success.

“I journal a lot,” she says. “There’s expectations when you start doing well, and that can be stressful. Writing things down helps me stay focused.” 

That mindset, combined with her natural speed, has already earned her further recognition off the track. Named The Echo Women in Sport Award winner for May, she is not just making headlines, she is inspiring the next generation following in her footsteps back in Passage and beyond.

And yet, for all the accolades, there remains a refreshing honesty about why she does it.

“Sometimes I don’t even know,” she laughs. “At training you’re like, ‘Why am I here?’ And I don’t even like competing that much because I feel sick on the start line. 

But I just can’t stop, I think I’m kind of obsessed.” 

If that obsession continues to fuel performances like these, there is little doubt Tiffany’s journey is only beginning, and Cork may well be watching the early strides of a star on the European stage.