Kukri Sports is pleased to welcome Rudi May as one of its new Youth Talent Programme Ambassadors for 2024.

Rudi, who competes in pole vault, has previously represented England in the Under 18 International match and the British Outdoor Under 17 championships, winning the latter as he continues to shine in his discipline.

Tell us about yourself and your athletic background?

“I’ve always been interested in sport and competing in sport activities. My Mum and Dad encouraged me to try lots of different things when I was younger. I played football for a local team in Sheffield amongst various other sports. I started doing more athletics age 10 and haven’t looked back since.”

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

“I am a member of the City of Sheffield and Dearne AC and also go to High Storrs School Sixth Form where I am doing my A-Levels. I am also enrolled at Loughborough College as part of the Youth Talent Programme.”

What event do you compete in?

“Pole Vault.”

What inspired you to pursue a career in athletics?

“I started off with the primary school athletics competitions at the local track. This led to doing a Park Run and duathlon. I then looked for a local athletics club and the City of Sheffield and Dearne AC had a good introductory group which allowed me to do a bit of everything, including pole vault with my coach Trevor Fox.”

What are your goals and aspirations in athletics?

“Short term, my goal is to compete at the European and World Under 20 athletics championships in the pole vault for Great Britain. Longer term, I am aiming for the major athletics competitions across the world and to win international medals.”

What is your greatest achievement so far?

“There are two in particular, one is representing England in the Under 18 international match and the second is winning the British Outdoor Under 17 championship with my third attempt jump and getting a personal best at the same time.”

Who is your Athletics idol and why?

“The obvious person to say is Mondo [Armand] Duplantis as he is breaking the world record each season and winning all the major championships. I also think his technique is really good to watch and learn from.”

What do you know about Kukri sports?

“I know that Kukri sponsors and supports lots of different sports, including national governing bodies such as England Athletics. There are a few national athletes in the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield who I have seen training with Kukri gear, so I knew about the brand before now. I was lucky to receive Kukri athletics sportswear when I represented England and was impressed by how good the quality was.”

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

“It’s nice to get a load of sportswear that can help facilitate my performance, but I’m also hoping to learn a lot about being a sponsored athlete at the same time and promoting the brand.”