Sarah Holt (born 17 April 1987) is a British athlete who specializes in the hammer throw, her personal best is 68.97m.[1] She was born in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, United Kingdom.[2] Holt has represented Great Britain Athletics Team consistently since 2006.[1] She began athletics at the age of 12, competing for Spenborough and District Athletics Club.[2] She then went on to compete for Sale Harriers Manchester,[3] her current club. Career highlights include European U23 bronze medallist (2009), Double England Champion (2011, 2012) and Commonwealth Games representative (2010).[1] Holt attended Whitcliffe Mount School in Cleckheaton.[2] where she had academic success, achieving straight A grades at A-Level (geography, psychology, physical education). Her academics continued at Loughborough University where she gained a BSc in Geography and Sport science (2:1).[3]

Career

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Junior career

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Holt began athletics at the age of 12 where she broke the UK age 12 national record, throwing 22.40m.[4] Her training at this age was sporadic as she enjoyed participating in other sports and athletic events. In 2001/2, Holt was selected to represent England Schools, and was coached by Michael Morley. She had success at the English Schools Championships, achieving bronze, silver and gold medals (2003–2005).[1] Holt represented Great Britain U20 team in 2006, competing at the World Junior Championships (Beijing).[5]

In the under 23 age group Holt topped the British ranking for three years.[1] and broke the British under 23 national record.[3] In 2009, she threw 62.55m to gain a bronze medal in at the European under 23 Championships (Kaunas, Lithuania).[6] Holt was also selected as team captain for these championships. Her coach at the time was John Pearson.

Senior career

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Holt was first selected to represent the British senior team in 2010 at the European Team’s Championships in Bergen, Norway.[7] She has continued her development and was a part of the European Championships team in Helsinki, Finland 2012.[2] In addition, Holt represented England at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi. Her current coach is Robert Weir.[1] who she has spent time training with in Eugene, Oregon, United States.[8] Holt has improved her personal best every year since 1999.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g "Athlete Profile". Thepowerof10.info. 17 April 1987. Retrieved 20 September 2012.
  2. ^ a b c d "Meet Olympic Torch bearer Sarah Holt – Community – Batley and Birstall News". Batleynews.co.uk. 21 June 2012. Retrieved 20 September 2012.
  3. ^ a b c "New British Under 23 Record for Sarah Holt". Noeaa-athletics.org.uk. Retrieved 20 September 2012.
  4. ^ "UK Outdoor Age Best Performances". Gbrathletics.com. Retrieved 20 September 2012.
  5. ^ Sarah Holt (17 August 2006). "Athletics | Get Involved | Patched up for action". BBC Sport. Retrieved 20 September 2012.
  6. ^ "Poland's Kszczot takes gold ahead of Lewandowski in 800 on Day 3 in Kaunas". European-athletics.org. Retrieved 20 September 2012.
  7. ^ "UKA European Team Championships". Uka.org.uk. Retrieved 20 September 2012.
  8. ^ Thomson, Dougie (27 July 2011). "Cleckheaton hammer thrower Sarah Holt has London 2012 in her sights". Huddersfield Daily Examiner. Retrieved 21 September 2012.