Onochie 'Larry' Achike will go through a familiar routine at the Sydney Olympics.

The 25-year triple jumper, who begins qualifying tomorrow, was a Crawley club member and Worth College pupil when he began using an eye-catching warm-up which helped him lift four All-English Schools Championship title.

He said: "Suddenly my hand started shaking, my heart started pumping and I went out and jumped a massive personal best and won the competition. From then on I've always done it. It seems to work so I'm going to stick with it."

Achike carried on the glory trial, becoming the county's first world junior athletics champion, the biggest prize gained by a Sussex youngster in the sport since Steve Ovett claimed gold in the European Junior Championships.

It earned him the The Argus's coveted Youth In Action award, which can boast the likes of England footballer Gareth Barry and international rugby ace Alex King among its previous winners.

It also launched him on the path to a Commonwealth Games gold medal in Kuala Lumpur two years ago and now, of course, to the biggest stage of all.

He is Britain's second-string to Jonathan Edwards but will give it his best shot in an attempt to make the perfect jump.

Achike, born of Nigerian parents, said: "The perfect jump would be take off right from the start, run down the track as fast as you can, staying as relaxed as possible. It's something I've been working on.

"Another key to the triple jump is to maintain the speed through the phases. So you don't want to be blocking. The hop is normally your biggest phase but you must not land flat on your feet, you have to be clawing back at the ground as fast as you can and hold and maintain the step phase.

"The perfect jump is what we all work towards. You never know when it's going to come out or when you're going to produce it. I believe that every time I get on the runway I'm getting closer and closer to that type of jump."

Edwards is his inspiration.

Achike said: "Jonathan's jump in Gothenburg to set the world record was one of the best looking jumps I've ever seen in my life."

Edwards cleared 18.29m and Achike has told The Argus he may one day beat it. But the Sussex triple jumper feels he will have to jump over 17.80m at least to seal gold.

Achike added: "The Olympics brings the best out of a lot of people and that's what I'm going to try to do. We'll have to wait and see if I do it in Sydney."

Likeable Larry set his Olympic agenda after his world junior success in 1994 and if he succeeds in the Games he will be grateful to Sussex.

"Worth got me started in athletics and Crawley provided me with top class opposition so I could keep improving. I owe them a lot," he added.

If Achike can jump to a medal, the reflected pride should pay his old school and club back in full.