Former sprinter Christian Malcolm believes Enfield’s Chijindu Ujah showed the necessary consistency and mental strength last season to prove to him that he is one to watch on the Road to Rio.

After becoming just the fifth Brit to dip under ten seconds over 100m back in 2014 – and the youngest – much was expected of Ujah last season.

And he looked set to start his season off in style as he won his 60m heat and semi-final at the European Indoor Championships only to false start in the showpiece.

However, the 21-year-old didn’t let that knock him off course and while he failed to advance from the World Championship semi-finals in Beijing, he finished the season as British champion.

He also dipped under ten seconds for the second time in his career when he ran 9.96 – the exact same time as when he did so in 2014 – at the Anniversary Games.

And Malcolm, who won two World Championship 4x100m bronze medals as well as a 200m European silver, is adamant this form means Ujah is one who can’t be ruled out.

“I think personally CJ did have a consistent year this year, especially when you look at the times he ran,” said Malcolm, speaking at a Get Set for Community Action event at Birmingham’s Villa Park.

“I think he did 6.55 indoors and while the final in Prague might not have gone to plan he has come out of that.

“In the outdoor season he became British champion and ended as British number one so he has shown progression this year.

“Now he just needs to make sure that he is keeping that up and progressing all the time. The tough thing is that the standard has risen on a global level and that’s hard to deal with so they have to rise with those standards but I think they are doing a fantastic job.

“CJ has progressed and he has to just keep doing what he is doing. He had the disappointment in Prague but that’s massively important because you learn more from losing than you do from when things go your way.

“You look back on success and failure and ask what could I have done better but you look at his year and it’s been great. He still managed to kick on and that’s all you can ask.”

Ujah’s trip to Beijing for the World Championships in August was disappointing for a second reason as he and James Ellington botched the final change over, potentially costing Great Britain a 4x100m medal.

But once again Malcolm is remaining positive and believes all is not lost on this front either for Ujah.

“These things happen, you see it in football, and the thing for the team is to move on from it now,” Malcom added.

“The one thing is that all the guys are hungry and want to do well and it’s because of that emotion run high but I am pretty sure they will get it right for next year.

“I think you can always learn from any negative which is a good thing going forward, you never want bad things to happen but if they do you need to learn and I think the guys will.”

Get Set for Community Action is a new UK-wide programme for young people and their communities created by the British Olympic Foundation and British Paralympic Association and made possible thanks to the Big Lottery Fund. To find out more visit: www.getsetaction.org.uk.