Summary
Seamus Derbyshire, a British 400m hurdler, gained attention for his unique starting line routines that went viral on TikTok. Despite struggles with anxiety affecting his performances in the past, he adapted his approach to competitions, leading to his selection for the World Championships. His routines emphasize being authentic and have received positive attention, with Derbyshire hoping to inspire other athletes.
Key Facts
- Seamus Derbyshire is a British 400m hurdler who gained viral fame on TikTok for his starting line performances.
- His routines, such as the "toss toss" inspired by the film Wicked, highlight his effort to be his true self.
- Mental health challenges previously affected his competitions, impacting his European and Olympic dreams.
- Derbyshire changed his mindset by engaging an additional coach and switching to solo training to improve his competitiveness.
- He achieved his personal best of 48.47 seconds in the 400m hurdles, becoming the fifth-fastest British man in that discipline.
- Despite not automatically qualifying from the British Championships, he was selected for the World Championships in Tokyo.
- Derbyshire is openly gay and aims to be a role model for other athletes, having found inspiration in music rather than sports.
- Most reactions to his viral fame have been positive, although he acknowledges some exposure to negative comments.
