Maya Bruney (born 24 February 1998) is a British-born sprinter with dual nationality who competes for Italy since 2021. Running for Great Britain, she won the gold medal in the 200 metres and bronze medals for the 4 × 100 and 4 × 400 metres relays at the 2017 European Under-20 Championships.[1][2]

Maya Bruney
Personal information
Nationality
  • Italian
  • British
Born (1998-02-24) 24 February 1998 (age 26)
London, United Kingdom
Education
Sport
CountryItaly (2021–)
Great Britain (–2020)
SportAthletics
EventSprints
Medal record
Women's athletics
Representing  Great Britain
European U20 Championships
Gold medal – first place 2017 Grosseto 200 m
Bronze medal – third place 2017 Grosseto 4x100 m relay
Bronze medal – third place 2017 Grosseto 4x400 m relay

Biography

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Maya Bruney was born in London, UK. She has dual nationality as her mother is Italian.[3] From 2012 to 2016, Bruney attended the BRIT School in Croydon.[4] In July 2014, she was awarded the BRIT School excellence in design award for a sneaker design, and in July 2016, was awarded for the second time for her end of year design portfolio. Her portfolio gave her different offers and she chose University of East London.[5] Bruney started athletics at age seven and began competing in the long jump and sprints events three years later. At age 12, she transferred from South London Harriers to Blackheath and Bromley Harriers where she was coached by her father.

In 2011, Bruney became the 200 metres English Schools' Athletics Championships winner.[6] At the 2012 edition of this championships, she became the 100 metres champion and was part of the U15 record-breaking Surrey 4 x 100 m relay team, coached by her father. To this day, the team holds the British U15 Record in a time of 47.37.[7]

In February 2017, Bruney won the bronze medal in the 200 m at the British Indoor Athletics Championships. Outdoors in April, she became the BUCS 200 m champion. In July, the 19-year-old became the only athlete to achieve a hat-trick of medals at the 2017 European Under-20 Championships in Grosseto, Italy. She won the 200 m with a time of 23.04 seconds and earned bronze medals for the 4 x 100 m and 4 x 400 m relays. After her successful 2017 season, Bruney was nominated for the European Athlete of the Year award.

In February 2021, World Athletics confirmed her transfer of allegiance from Britain to Italy.[8] She now competes for female athletic club in Italy, Bracco Atletica.[9][10] In February 2022, Bruney placed third in the 400 m at the Italian Indoor Championships.[8]

Achievements

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International competitions

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Year Competition Venue Position Event Time
Representing   Great Britain
2017 European U20 Championships Grosseto, Italy 1st 200 m 23.04 EU20L
3rd 4 × 100 m relay 44.17
3rd 4 × 400 m relay 3:33.68
Representing   Italy
2022 Mediterranean Games Oran, Algeria 8th 200 m 23.81

Personal bests

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National championships

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Year Competition Venue Position Event Time
2011 English Schools' Championships Gateshead, United Kingdom 1st 200 m 24.74
2012 English Schools' Championships Gateshead, United Kingdom 1st 100 m 12.10
1st 4 × 100 m relay 47.37
2017 British Indoor Championships Sheffield, United Kingdom 3rd 200 m i 24.00
BUCS Championships Bedford, United Kingdom 1st 200 m 23.95 (−2.9)
1st 4 × 100 m relay 45.76
2018 BUCS Championships Bedford, United Kingdom 1st 400 m 53.1
2022 Italian Championships Ancona, Italy 3rd 400 m 53.80
1st 4 × 400 m relay 3:39.14

References

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  1. ^ "Croydon runner grabs gold at European Junior Athletics Championships". Croydon Guardian. Retrieved 4 January 2018.
  2. ^ "Hat-trick of medals for University of East London sports scholar Maya Bruney". Newham Recorder. Retrieved 4 January 2018.
  3. ^ "Maya Bruney following in some fast footsteps". AW. 31 January 2018. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
  4. ^ "The BRIT School – Ones To Watch (July 2017)". brittrust.co.uk. The BRIT Trust. Retrieved 20 January 2018.
  5. ^ Anstice, Gareth. "Maya, 19, is the star of the GB under-20 team after brilliant sprinting display in Italy". University of East London. Retrieved 20 January 2018.
  6. ^ "Athlete Profile". powerof10.info. Retrieved 4 January 2018.
  7. ^ "Ranking List". thepowerof10.info. Retrieved 3 January 2018.
  8. ^ a b "Maya BRUNEY – Athlete Profile". World Athletics. Retrieved 1 January 2022.
  9. ^ "Welcome Maya". 16 February 2021.
  10. ^ "MAYA BRUNEY, LA NUOVA VELOCISTA ITALIANA DELLA BRACCO". 16 February 2021.
  11. ^ "Final medal flurry sees GB juniors equal their best ever". British Athletics. Retrieved 4 January 2018.
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