Louie Hinchliffe secures his place at the Olympics with Athletics legend – and coach – Carl Lewis cheering him on as he takes gold in the 100m at the UK Championships

From obscurity to the Olympic Games. Sheffield sensation Louie Hinchliffe completed his remarkable rise on Saturday evening by winning the 100m at the UK Championships to secure his place in Paris.

Two years ago the little-known student sprinter didn’t even finish his 100m heat at this meeting in Manchester, while last year he didn’t take part in the race at all here.

However, Hinchliffe’s career has changed since he moved to the University of Houston last August to be coached by nine-time Olympic gold medalist Carl Lewis.

And with the American icon cheering him on from the stands of the Manchester Regional Arena, the 21-year-old showed he is a star in his own right as he became British champion for the first time.

On a slow, wet track and into a headwind, Hinchliffe won the British Olympic qualifiers in a time of 10.18 seconds, punching through the air as he crossed the finish line 0.07 seconds ahead of runner-up Jeremiah Azu.

Hinchcliffe was cheered on by athletics legend Carl Lewis (left), who is now his coach

Hinchcliffe moved to the University of Houston in August to work with Lewis, and his career has taken off since then

With both Hinchliffe and Azu having already achieved the Olympic qualifying time of 10 seconds this season, they are now assured of their Team GB places when the selectors meet on Monday.

While Zharnel Hughes, the British record holder and world bronze medalist, will be given the third discretionary spot after being given a medical exemption to miss this meeting while he recovers from injury.

All eyes are now on Hinchliffe’s performance in France, with Lewis already predicting he will reach the final and become ‘one of Britain’s best ever sprinters’.

A former junior golfer from Yorkshire, he ranked a lowly 11th in the country last year with a best time of 10.16 seconds. But he shot to prominence when he ran a wind-assisted 9.84 seconds in May, then became the first European to win the US collegiate title in 9.95 seconds earlier this month, before being crowned national champion last night.

Earlier, Keely Hodgkinson reached Sunday’s 400m final after finishing second in her heat in 52:06 seconds.

The Wigan athlete opted to shorten the distance of her specialist event, the 800 metres, in which she is already assured of her Olympic place as a silver medallist.

But Hodgkinson wants to win two medals in Paris by joining the British 4x400m relay team.

“The relay is a goal for me,” she admitted. “If I can get into the top six, maybe I have a chance. It will be really fun to be a part of it.”

Hodgkinson’s chances of winning gold in the 800 meters in Paris were significantly boosted this week when defending champion Athing Mu crashed during the U.S. qualifiers and failed to qualify.

Jeremiah Azu (right), who finished 0.7 seconds behind Hinchcliffe, is also heading to the Olympics

Keely Hodgkinson meanwhile reached Sunday’s 400m final after finishing second in her heat in 52:06 seconds

But Hodgkinson added: ‘I was gutted actually. It ruined my day the other day. Paris won’t be the same without her.

“You see people putting the gold around my neck just because she’s not there, but I don’t think it gets any easier without her. The pressure is doubled for me and there are still some incredible girls to beat.”

Meanwhile, another British Olympic gold medal contender, Molly Caudery, secured a place in Paris by easily defending her national title in the pole vault with a best jump of 4.83 metres.

The world indoor champion came close to breaking her own British record – which she set last weekend – but just missed her third attempt of 4.93m.