East throwing in the right direction

Javelin thrower Ben East rounded off a successful 2022 season by winning the England Throws Camps Throws Fest in Northampton.

The competition is dedicated to throwing events and brings together athletes from England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland.

It was a chance for East, who started competing with Team Kennet when he was seven, to earn his first England vest.

It was also a chance for the thrower to banish some demons – in August he travelled to Cali, Colombia, to compete in the World Championships, but failed to qualify for the final.

East put that down to the fact that he hadn't experienced a qualification competition in events before, and was thus unprepared for the process.

"The event featured a qualification round, something only usually seen in international competitions," East said.

"That was completely new to me at the World Championships in Colombia, I'd never had to qualify for a final before.

"I felt that worked against me, I wasn't able to perform to the level I wanted."

East encountered no such problems back on home soil, easing through the qualification competition with a throw of 69.39m.

East went on to throw 69.76m in the final, enough to win the competition on his England debut.

"It was a great way to finish the season, it was a competition I really enjoyed," he said.

"I was so proud to represent England and to get my first England vest.

"The whole event had an incredible atmosphere, it was nice to have so many similar athletes come together.

"We had brilliant support from spectators and fellow competitors, it was fantastic."

The competition concludes an impressive season for the 18-year-old – memorably, East threw a personal best 73.49m to finish second at the Muller UK Athletics Championships in Manchester in June, his first event since making the step up to adult competition.

He said: "It's been a great season, it's been the most exciting and challenging so far, I can't wait for what's to come."

East has since moved to Loughborough University, where he'll combine a degree in mechanical engineering with training at the university's state-of-the art facilities.

The thrower has ambitions of making it right to the top – if he keeps on improving, he might just go the distance.