A SCHOOLGIRL javelin thrower found herself at the sharp end after being coached by one of the country’s best boxers.
On the back of securing a bronze medal at the Yorkshire championships Northallerton College student Jasmine Pearson stood toe to toe with British champion boxer Amanda Coulson.
A three times European silver medallist and competitor in two world championships, Amanda is now a motivational speaker as part of the Sky Sports initiative Living for Sport.
She spent the day coaching young athletes including Jasmine, of Northallerton. Amanda said: “It’s clear to see just how much Jasmine thinks of sport and she is doing all the right things; listening, learning and showing real commitment. She already has the right attitude to succeed which means she can now concentrate on technique.”
Jasmine has only been competing for just over a year and is already proving to be a force to be reckoned with, ranked third in Yorkshire and with a personal best throw of 30m.
The 15-year-old is no stranger to receiving advice from the best and took part in a warm weather training session in Portugal with retired British shot-put champion Geoff Capes.
“I just love it and my coach at York Athletics Club is an inspiration,” she said. “I was a bit worried at first but am now starting to believe in myself. I would like to get as high as I can and one day throw for my country, perhaps even making the Olympic squad.”
