Kukri Sports is pleased to announce that Gracie Wall will continue in her role as one of our Youth Talent Programme Ambassadors for 2024.

Gracie, who competes in high jump, has had a successful year after winning in her event at the National Under 20 Championships in June, as well as representing England at the Hustopece Internationals in Czech Republic where she finished third.

Tell us about yourself and your athletic background?

“I joined an athletics club at the age of 7 and tried all of the events, but began high jump when I was 10, due to my school PE teacher introducing me to my coach after a high jump session in my PE lesson. Since then I have competed and focused on high jump, continuing to improve and develop my performances, all whilst enjoying the opportunities the sport gives me and loving the journey with my coach and friends.“

What athletics club and school/college are you associated to?

“I compete for Bedford & County athletics club. I attend sixth form at Samuel Whitbread Academy.”

What event do you compete in?

“High jump.”

What inspired you to pursue a career in athletics?

“Due to my family being very sport orientated, I grew up with them playing sports and was exposed to various sports through friends and watching TV with them. At the age of 7, after the 2012 Olympics, I joined Bedford AC. The games inspired me to join athletics, on top of the gymnastics and acrobatic dance classes I was already attending. My PE teacher was my main inspiration when it came to high jump. After recognising my potential in a PE lesson, he gave me the confidence and help to pursue high jump specific training.“

What are your goals and aspirations in athletics?

“My goals are to keep continuing to improve and better myself as an athlete whilst achieving higher heights and consistent performances. My main aim and aspiration is for my performances to be recognised and reward being selection to compete for Great Britain and as a result travel to major competitions and compete against the best high jumpers, to really challenge me to deliver higher performances on a bigger stage.“

What is your greatest achievement so far?

“My high jump personal best is 1.78m which I achieved when winning the National U20 Championships in June 2023. I would say my greatest achievement so far would have to be competing for England Under 20 at the Hustopece international in the Czech republic where I placed 3rd. Or winning the Welsh Under 20 international, competing for England South and jumping 1.74m to break the stadium record in 2022.“

Who is your Athletics idol and why?

“My athletics idol is Yaroslava Mahuchikh, as she has achieved so much at such a young age.“

What do you know about Kukri sports?

“I have been fortunate enough to be selected to represent England and compete in Kukri kit as well as wearing Kukri kit in training. I know that as a company Kukri’s customer service department was excellent to deal with. As a customer I felt valued and that I was their priority, and the kit itself was really comfy to wear and everything I wanted to allow me to perform well. 

“Having been an ambassador for a year, I have seen how facilitating the company is to their ambassadors and their willingness to help and support athletes, providing them with not only bespoke sportswear but a support system where everybody wants the best for the athletes.“

What does it mean to you to be continuing a Kukri Sports YTP Ambassador?

“I am honoured to continue representing Kukri sports. The ambassador role has not only allowed me to develop my social media skills and platform but it has allowed me to develop myself as an athlete as well as an individual, therefore I am grateful to be able to continue giving back to Kukri, to help promote and develop the brand as a whole.“

What are you most excited about as you continue in your role?

“I am excited to continue developing my own skills and self confidence as well as learning to liaise with new people and to continue working with such a bespoke brand.

“I am also excited to develop my social media skills and channel further, whilst meeting new people and working with the other ambassadors along the way.“