Super Shakira leaps to national glory

Maiden Erlegh pupil Shakira Whight produced a record-breaking performance to win a gold medal at the Sainsbury’s English Schools Track and Field Championships.

The 18-year-old won the senior girls’ triple jump with a leap of 12.76cm.

She was one of six Reading Athletic Club members competing at Gateshead last weekend and there was also a bronze medal for Natalie Beale in the 300m hurdles.

Whight went into the competition as favourite, but that didn’t unnerve her as she produced the goods from the word go.

“I wanted to get a good jump in early, so to get a first round personal best was great.” she said.

“I only came fifth last year but have shown a lot of dedication over the winter and all my hard work has paid off.”

Her winning jump was a new Reading AC under-20 record.

It caps an amazing eight months for Whight, who since the turn of the year has won the Berkshire outdoor title, Southern indoor and outdoor triple jump titles, won bronze in the
National indoor championships and silver in the national outdoor championships.

She must be a serious contender for a place in GB’s squad for the 2012 Olympics.

Three other Berkshire runners also returned from Gateshead with gold medals.

Bracknell College student Adam Moore won the under-19 800m with a time of 1 minute 51.93 seconds