Paulos Surafel is looking to bow out of BUCS Nationals on a golden high.

The third year St Mary’s University student is confident of triumphing in the 3,000m indoor race at the event in Sheffield this weekend.

Having gained individual bronze and silver cross country medals in BUCS events, the former St George Monarch pupil believes he is ready to finally claim a gold.

“Gold is the aim for me,” said the Walthamstow native.

“Going to every race you want to win, and I think my progression shows I’m a good championship racer, I do perform well in big championship races.

“I want to win a medal and it would be nice if it was gold. I’m looking forward to the race.”

“I feel like everything is clicking and I haven’t been injured so far, I’ve been taking care of myself.

“In December maybe things didn’t click in racing but from January on everything has been going well.”

Having competed in numerous BUCS events, the sports science and business management student believes the atmosphere is unique to any other meeting on his calendar.

“I think there’s something different about BUCS that makes it great,” he added.

“The sport itself is a bit individual but when it comes to BUCS, it becomes more about the team.

“You are racing so many different universities that being in the atmosphere, not even racing, is a great feeling, you feel like a team.

“You train with the guys in training but you’re actually competing against them in races, but in BUCS it is different.

“I like the atmosphere, everything about it is perfect.”

Surafel also feels he is inspired by the chance to represent St Mary’s in these events.

“Normal races are more individual, I compete for myself or my club, whereas BUCS you earn points for your university,” he added.

“Especially at St Marys athletics is a big deal so there’s expectation to perform as well so and I feel we’ve always done that as a team, not just me but my team mates.”

For Surafel, the aim after university is to take his running as far as possible and has turned down scholarships from American universities to focus on breaking into the Great Britain squad.

“I would like to run as a professional,” he concluded.

“I know it’s not easy but once I finish university I plan to get a sponsor and focus on my running and see where it takes me.”

BUCS Nationals powered by Muhdo is the largest annual multi-sport event in the UK, bringing the best of Britain’s university athletes together to compete across eight different sports in Sheffield. More info at bucs.org.uk and via #BUCSNationals