PLYMOUTH’S Annabel Denton was delighted with her performance at the Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires.
At just 15 years of age, Denton was the youngest competitor in the women’s modern pentathlon field, but she impressed for Great Britain by finishing eight.
She had gone into the laser-run with a chance a medal, but she just could not quite challenge for the podium in the final discipline against more experienced opponents.
The Plymouth College pupil had been joint third after the fencing ranking round on day one. She then produced the ninth best time in the swimming pool and after a bonus fencing round headed into the laser run in fifth.
She said afterwards: “This has been the greatest performance of my life – I’m so happy right now.
“I fenced incredibly for me – I was so surprised and then followed it up with a great swim. I felt quite tired before the laser-run, but I gave it my all and I’m so happy to come in eighth place.
“There are 18-year-olds in the field that were likely to have more endurance than me, but hopefully in three years’ time, I will be up there with them and able to compete.
“It was really tough, but I’m so proud,” says 15-year-old GB pentathlete @annabeldenton1 after coming 8th in her Youth Olympic debut.
“I’ve been balancing school, training & competing which isn’t easy but this was a great experience & it’d be a dream to qualify for Paris 2024.” pic.twitter.com/fUy4YWinz0
— Nick Hope – the athlete’s journalist (@NickHopeTV) October 13, 2018