Sophie claims fourth place at Europeans

All six of Sophie’s throws were over 70m, with her first effort going out to 70.91m.

She improved in the second round, throwing 71.74m to climb into the silver medal position.

A throw of 71.33m with her third effort saw her in third place, and after the fourth and fifth rounds, where she threw 70.03m and a best of 71.59m, she was sat in fourth place overall.

In the final round, the Burnley-born star recorded a throw of 71.41m, as she held onto fourth place, behind Azerbaijan’s Hanna Skydan (73.83m) in third.

Second was Germany’s Betty Heidler with a seasonal best of 75.77m, and gold medalist was Poland’s Anita Wlodarczyk with 78.14m.

Sophie Hitchon qualified for the final with a best distance of 69.48m.

Wlodarczyk finished top in qualifying with a throw of 73.94m.

On her instagram page, Sophie said: “4th place at European Championships. I was pleased with my performance and had a good series of throws. Back at home now to build for Rio. #hammerthrow”

Her next competition is her biggest event of the year – the Olympic Games in Rio.

She rubber-stamped her place at the games by winning the a third-successive British title in Birmingham, with a throw of 69.99m.

Sophie was a finalist at the last Olympic Games four years ago in London, throwing a then British record 71.98 to qualify, before finishing 12th in the final with 69.33m.