The honour of one of the first gold medals at the 5th Commonwealth Youth Games being held in Samoa went to England’s Emma Hamplett yesterday.
She claimed the girl’s javelin title at Apia Park with a throw of 49.57 metres, edging out her rivals, Shanee Angol, of Dominica and Rochelle Etienne, of St Lucia.
Hamplett said she felt great about her performance even though she had to battle with tough winds that were found across the field the entire day.
“It was really windy but still so amazing,” she said. “I had a great time and it was an amazing opportunity to come to Samoa and compete here.”
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After competing in the World Junior Championships as part of Great Britain, Hamplett has aspirations to go back and compete there again.
“I’d like to represent Great Britain again in the World Junior Championships and try and win a gold medal there and hopefully come back to Samoa and compete again that would be great.”
Hamplett is currently ranked seventh in the world youth rankings after throwing an impressive 56.29 meters.
Catrin Jones, of Wales, also made history yesterday, winning the first gold at Tuana’imato in the Women’s 48kg Weightlifting competition.
The two gold medals won by the UK duo set the tone for what was to follow in terms of success for girls at the Games.
Jones was far too good defeating Srimall Mudiyanselage Divisekava of Sri Lanka and Nicole Hailee Jarett of Australia who had to settle for silver and bronze respectively.
“I worked really hard for this event and I’m just ecstatic about the result,” she told the Samoa Observer.
“All that hard work has finally paid off.
I’m so thrilled.”
Jones, 16, said her goal is to eventually make it to the Olympics.
“I’m going to chill now since I don’t have any more games,” she said.
In the meantime, she acknowledged the support from her coach as well as her loved ones.
“I like to say a big thank you to my Coach Ray Williams, friends and families for supporting me all the way,” she said.
With this being only her second competition, she said she has enjoyed Samoa’s hospitality immensely.
“This is my second international competition as I attended the World Youth competition and I came in 8th there."
"This competition is a lot better and I’m so happy I have won a gold medal.”
* Patrick Mastalerz of United Youth Media contributed to this story.
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