WARWICK’S Georgina Mitchell built on her impressive girls’ relay result with a 28th placed individual finish at the Under 19 Modern Pentathlon World Championships in Prague.
Mitchell, who stars for Stratford Sharks Swimming Club, produced a highly encouraging set of performances on her debut at a major U19 international championships.
Having excelled to qualify for the final in the Czech Republic, 16-year-old Mitchell was in action alongside GB team-mate Zoe Davison of Stroud and the teenagers’ day began in the pool with the 200m swim.
Both Brits started strongly and Wycliffe College’s Davison recorded a time of 2:14.51 and Plymouth College’s Mitchell 2:16.80.
A blistering start from 18-year-old Davison meant she was in a four-way tie at the top of the discipline standings halfway through the fencing ranking round. The Gloucestershire athlete maintained her form throughout the second half too, making some fantastic hits on her way to an impressive score of 23 victories with just 12 defeats.
Mitchell, who finished as the top British athlete at last month’s Under 17 European Championships in Bulgaria, was around the level fence mark throughout the discipline before finishing with a flourish to ensure a positive score of 18 victories and 17 defeats.
Both British athletes then secured two extra points in the bonus round, meaning Davison was in a tie for second and Mitchell 13th heading into the concluding laser run.
The final discipline was always going to be a tough affair at the end of a long day and, with many quick runners in the field, it proved to be the case as Davison crossed the line 24th and Mitchell 28th to bring the girls’ final to an end.
It was a tremendous display from both British athletes on their Under 19 World Championships debut and excellent experience for Mitchell, who is still an U17 athlete.
Pentathlon GB’s Pathway Manager Stuart Mason said: “Both girls produced podium level performances in all disciplines except the run, which is very encouraging.”
Earlier in the competition, Mitchell and GB team-mate Emma Whitaker had finished ninth in the girls’ relay – a great result for two U17 athletes.
Mitchell headed to the Czech Republic on the back of great season which has already seen her win the U19 British Championships despite still being an U17 athlete.
Earlier this month, she was the highest placed British athlete at the U17 European Championships in Bulgaria and also won the GB qualifier for the Youth Olympic Games, which means she will compete in the European qualifier in Portugal in August.
Mitchell sits third in the Pentathlon GB U19 rankings and recently won relay bronze alongside Olivia Green and Davison in the U19 European Cup in Barcelona.
Mitchell attends Plymouth College to assist with her training. She also trains with Birchfield Harriers and Stratford Sharks when she is home for school holidays.
