Osman Muskwe has set his sights on competing for Great Britain after being crowned English dec-athlon champion at Bedford, writes Ed Mez-zetti.

The 27-year-old Radley athlete shrugged off a hamstring injury to win the English title in dramatic style by just 24 points Muskwe, who is a soldier based at Abingdon’s Dalton Barracks, was lying third with one event to go, but produced a personal best 1,500m time to take the spoils.

This saw him record a best total of 7,229 for his ten events, ranking him third in Britain for 2013.

Originally from Zimbabwe, Muskwe qualfies for Britain having lived here for six years.

One event he could be selected for is the European Cup in Tallinn, Estonia from June 29-30.

“I am just waiting to see whether I get chosen,” said Muskwe.

“I would like to be selected for any championship.”

Muskwe’s highlights at Bedford included clearing 2m in the high jump for the first time with a leap of 2.02m.

He was also top-ranked in the long jump (6.86m) and shot put (14.21m), while his 1,500m time of 4mins 38.46secs was six seconds faster than his previous mark.

“I felt that I had a chance to win two weeks ago, but I got an injury 11 days beforehand,” said Muskwe.

“It was a little hamstring niggle. “The day beforehand I was in doubt whether I should go.

“I just went in there half-hearted, but when it started I kept on pushing.”

He added: “I went there last year and came fourth.

“After that, I went back to the drawing board and it has all worked well.”

Muskwe’s other performances were: 100m (11.14secs), 400m (51.22), 110m hurdles (15.81), discus (38.99), pole vault (3.95m) and javelin (51.10).

Reflecting on his victory, Muskwe added: “I felt really good, but you can’t really celebrate that much because after the 1,500m you can barely stand!

“I needed a certain time to make sure I won, but to get a personal best was brilliant.”

Meanwhile, Radley’s Nicole Burger finished ninth in the English under 20 ladies’ heptathlon championship at Bedford.

Burger scored 4,029 points with personal bests in the 200m (26.47secs) and long jump (4.99m).