Barnet-based student Gianni Frankis has been selected to represent Great Britain at the World Athletics Championships in Berlin.

Frankis, a 100m hurdler who studies at Middlesex University, has been on great form this year.

He was thrilled to be called up into the British squad.

He said: “It’s a relief more than anything, we were all sweating on it. I‘ve had good form recently, which works in my favour, but I didn’t want to get too carried away (until he was selected).”

Frankis, 21, is a health and fitness student and a winner of one of the university’s Future Gold Scholarships, worth £30,000, which is awarded to students with a real chance of success at the London 2012 Olympics.

Frankis said that he would treat the World Championships as a major event in its own right, but also as a step towards London 2012.

Speaking about his Future Gold Scholarship, he said: “It’s great to have a background in studying as well, it’s brilliant to be on that scholarship.”

Mel Parker, Head of Sport at Middlesex University, said: “We are justifiably proud of our athletes and we will all be glued to the TV, willing Gianni on in Berlin. We are determined to help all of our athletes in their quest for gold in London 2012.”