PLYMOUTH modern pentathlete Kerenza Bryson is keen to build on her encouraging debut at the Junior World Championships in Hungary.
Bryson was the only member of the Great Britain team to reach the women’s individual final in Szekesfehervar.
Having come through a tough qualifying event on Thursday, the 18-year-old, in her first season at junior level, finished 22nd in the final on Saturday.
She opened the final with a 2:27.55 swim, which was more than a second quicker than her time in the qualifying stage.
The Plymouth Studio School pupil then enjoyed a fantastic fencing event. The Great Britain international recorded 24 victories and just 11 defeats, which put her tied second in the discipline standings.
Although she didn’t add any extra points to her tally in the bonus round, she had moved up to fifth place in the overall standings.
On her drawn horse Campari, Bryson knocked down just two poles in the ride to pick of 286 points.
It meant the Devon athlete maintained fifth place ahead of the closing combined laser-run event, although the field was extremely closely matched with just 55 points separating the top 27 athletes.
In extremely hot and humid conditions, Bryson lost ground in the last event and in a close competition finished 22nd overall with 1,229 points, which was only 44 points off a top 10 placing. Only three athletes topped 1,300 points.
Afterwards Bryson said: “I had a good day competing today in the final of the Junior World Championships with lots of things to improve and learn from.
“I’m ready to come back even stronger next season.”
Earlier in the championships, Bryson had finished 10th in the women’s relay with Sarah Collin.
Fellow Plymouth pentathlete Myles Pillage will take part in the men’s final on Sunday before the mixed relays take place on Monday.