Sophie Hitchon wins gold at Euro Under 23 Championships

On Saturday, Sophie Hitchon won the women’s hammer at the European Under 23 Championships in Tampere, Finland, in typical Sophie fashion.
JUST CHAMPION: Sophie Hitchon celebrates winning the Euro U23 titleJUST CHAMPION: Sophie Hitchon celebrates winning the Euro U23 title
JUST CHAMPION: Sophie Hitchon celebrates winning the Euro U23 title

She left it to her final throw to claim the gold medal, recording 70.72m to reclaim the lead at the death from Slovenian Barbara Spiler.

Sophie, 22 last Thursday, led with her first round throw of 68.12m, and extended that to 68.80m in the second round.

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However, Spiler responded with 68.98m and then 69.69m, as Sophie threw two fouls.

But she left her best to last to snatch gold, and she smiled: “I do it to myself all the time - to qualify at the Olympics, at the World Juniors to win, always leaving it to the last throw.

“I don’t know why I do it to myself, it’s so stressful.”

Sophie’s next big goal is next month’s World Athletics Championships in Russia, in the Luzhniki Stadium.