Toby Sandeman

Toby Sandeman (born 2 March 1988) is an English actor, international model and double gold medalist who represented Great Britain in the 200 metres. He won the 200 m at the UK Athletics national championships in 2009, and followed this with two gold medals at the European Athletics U23 Championships. He has modelled for Calvin Klein, Ralph Lauren, and worked with Naomi Campbell for Vogue magazine.

Early life Born in Hammersmith, London, Sandeman was introduced to athletics from an early age: his family enjoyed the feats of former British sprinter Linford Christie. He lived in Barbados from the age of 6 to 15 and returned to England on a rugby scholarship with Downside School. He found himself more drawn to athletics competitions, however, and competed at the English Schools' Athletics Championships. He failed to pass the first round and, as he advanced through the age groups, victory never came. In spite of this, he remained passionate about the sport and a chance training opportunity with childhood hero Christie arose when his mother won a competition. After the session, Christie recommended his old coach, Ron Roddan, to Sandeman. He trained with Roddan through his teens and competed in the 200 metres at the 2008 British Athletics Championships. A hamstring injury forced him to withdraw but he vowed to his coach that he would return and win the following year.

Modeling and breakthrough season Sandeman's modeling career had blossomed by this point: Trevor Sorbie, a renowned hairdresser, was a family friend and had suggested he try modeling. Despite his initial reluctance, Sandeman went on to work for Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein, and did a Vogue photoshoot with Naomi Campbell. to take the 200 m national title. Having a previous best of a modest 20.96 seconds before the championships, his 20.69 s performance in the final was a surprise victory.

His winning time was short of the A qualification time for the 2009 World Championships in Athletics, Not only was this a third of a second faster than his previous best, but it was also the leading time in Europe over the 200 m, earning him qualification for the World Championships. On the final day of the competition, he ran the 4×100 metres relay with British team mates Ryan Scott, Rion Pierre and Leevan Yearwood, to take his second gold of the competition.

He was named in the 2009 World Championships Team GB squad, but had to withdraw due to a lack of fitness and a foot problem.

Personal bests Event Best (seconds) Location Date 60 metres 7.16 Uxbridge, England 21 January 2006 100 metres 10.26 Claremont, California, United States 4 April 2009 200 metres 20.37 Kaunas, Lithuania 18 July 2009 400 metres 49.6 Kingston, Cambridgeshire, England 15 April 2006

Filmography Television

Film