RECORD-breaking Dewsbury swimmer Matthew Johnson, aged 13, pictured, has scooped £1,000 as winner of a 'Taut 100' Award, 2009.
The Taut 100 is a nationwide programme sponsored by sports drink Taut and run in conjunction with SportsAid.
Quadruple Olympic gold medallist rower Sir Matthew Pinsent helped select Matthew from a short list of 100 young athletes across the countr
y in recognition of his dedication, enthusiasm and sheer commitment to his sport.
The programme recognises young athletes, who have shown extraordinary levels of excellence, passion and natural talent in their chosen sport – drawn from 60 Summer Olympic, 20 Winter Olympic and 20 non-Olympic disciplines.
Matthew, the most successful Age Group swimmer in British history and a holder of 14 swimming records, impressed the judges with his ambition and determination to succeed. Having won 10 individual gold medals in the British Age Group Championships in 2008 and gold in 17 events at the Yorkshire Age Group Championships, he is keen to continue this winning streak.
In the long term, he is aiming to make an impression at the 2010 Junior World and European Championships, 2012 Olympics and 2014 Commonwealth Games.
As well as prize money of £1,000 and a supply of Taut, Matthew is now in with a chance of becoming the overall winner of the 2009 Taut 100 programme, where the prize is worth £5,000, and will be announced early next year. For further information regarding the Taut 100, visit www.taut-sport.com.
