Youth Olympics girl sets new targets

BRADWELL'S Sophie Mckinna admits a bronze medal from the Youth Olympic Games would have been the icing on the cake - but the shot putter still left Singapore with her head held high.

The 15-year-old flourished on the Olympic stage and launched a new personal best of 15.14m which at one point had her in bronze medal position and within touching distance of the podium.

But it was not to be for the English Schools' champion as Russia's Natalia Trovena took gold with a final throw of 15.66m.

Mckinna ended up in fifth place as she could not improve on her new lifetime best - but she is convinced her time will come, having sampled the world stage.

“If you had said to me at the start of the event that I would be in the final and throwing a personal best I would have been really happy,” said the Lynn Grove High School pupil.

“But then when I got into the final and was in the bronze medal position it would have just been amazing to get a medal as well.

“But a lot of these girls have got about a year and half on me so I will go away and work hard and come back stronger next year.

“It is disappointing now because I would have loved a medal but I am pleased with the way I performed.

“I fought to the best of my ability but sometimes on the day that isn't enough.”

Mckinna will not dwell on her disappointment however, as she heads to Gateshead for next month's UK School Games, determined to once again prove herself the best of Britain.

“I'll come back at the UK School Games in a couple of weeks' time and hopefully throw another PB and prove that this wasn't a fluke,” she added.

“Perhaps the World Youths next year will be my time, when I am a year older. I have loved the experience out in Singapore, it's been amazing.”

Lloyds TSB, proud partner of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and supporter of Team GB on their journey to the 2010 Singapore Youth Olympic Games. Visit LloydsTSB.com/London2012