By Tom Degun in Singapore

August 18 - Young British sprint star David Bolarinwa (pictured) lived up to his billing as gold medal favourite in the boys 100 metres at the Summer Youth Olympic Games as he cruised into Saturday’s final with the day’s fastest time of 10.62 seconds in a mixed 24 hours for Britain here.



The 16-year-old, who received the huge honour of carrying the flag for Team GB at the Opening Ceremony, was some way off his personal best of 10.39 but looked very comfortable in wet and windy conditions as eased over the line.

The Londoner’s biggest rival for the gold medal, Skeen Odane of Jamaica, qualified in a time of 10.63 to set-up what is likely to be a spectacular final.

Bolarinwa, who is widely tipped to be one to the athletics’ big name in the future, claimed that he feels in great form and admitted he is fully focused on becoming Youth Olympic Games champion. 

He told insidethegames: "My coach reckons I can break the British junior record of 10.31 and maybe run 10.28 in Saturday in the final but I’m just going out there to win.

"I’m confident with the form I’m in and I think if run my best, anything is possible.

"I’m not particularly worried about times I run right now though because I think a win is better than running my fastest time.

"A gold medal here would be fantastic here."

Bolarinwa’s success in the 100m was one of the highlights for Britain in a day that saw great highs and bitter lows.

Another triumph saw the women’s junior rowing pair of Georgia Howard-Merrill and Fiona Gammond become Youth Olympic Games champions in a phenomenal performance from the duo.

However, their victory was in stark contract to the men’s junior rowing pair of  Ed Nainby-Luxmoore and Casper Jopling who agonizingly finished in fourth place in the final and therefore just missed out on the medals.

There was further disappointment in the gymnastics where talented Sam Oldham finished in fifth place in the men’s individual all-around final despite an impressive display.

Oliver Golding crashed out in the quarter final of the boy’s singles tournament as he lost 6-4, 6-0 to Columbia’s Juan Sebastian Gomez although he did progress to the semi-final of the doubles alongside partner Jiri Vesely of the Czech Republic.

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