Les thrown into England debut

10:17am Friday 9th May 2008

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City of York Athletic Club star Les Richards has earned an England call-up.

The 23-year-old will contest the shot putt event when England take part in the Flanders Cup Kessel-Lo meeting, in Belgium, on Saturday, June 7.

The 6ft 6ins, 21 stone athlete has previously competed for Great Britain at Under-20s and U23s level, but this will be his first senior international.

Richards' achieved a personal best in shot putt of 17.21 metres during the winter.

Despite his putting prowess, Richards is hopeful of gaining a place in Great Britain's squad for the Beijing Olympics as a discus thrower. The York athlete has thrown the discus in excess of 56 metres.

Further Flanders Cup meetings will be held in Brasschaat on July 23 and in Oordegen on July 26.