Athletes return to Loughborough for the National Winter Long Throws

This weekend Loughborough University will play host to the England and UKA National Winter Long Throws Championships.

A relatively new fixture in the calendar, this championships provides long throws athletes with a competitive championships during the traditional indoor season. This year, in particular, there is even more to play for with a packed summer of competitions, championships and qualification distances to target across the different age groups (European Championships, European Throwing Cup, Commonwealth Games, European U18 Championships and World U20 Championships).

Over the last month, athletes across the country have been competing across the Scottish, Welsh and English regional Winter Long Throws, with the finale taking place this weekend. This competition is a key development opportunity for throws athletes across each of the home regions - giving a fantastic competitive opportunity to keep them motivated, engaged and excited about our sport throughout the long winter training months. Although a relaxed and friendly development competition, this weekend will also support athletes to get used to a championship atmosphere and prepare them to transition onto the senior international stage.

The National Winter Long Throws is also amongst some of the first competitions to use the new even age groups of U18 and U16.

Ones to watch

Discus

This weekend will be action packed and full of incredible athletes across the age groups. In the discus, Zara Obamakinwa (Blackheath and Bromley, Mark Chapman) will feature as the current U18 and U20 record holder. Can Zara sail over that 60 metre mark and set her sights on the U23 record? Last year she set her new PB of 58.17m, so will definitely be one to watch.

In the men's competition, Welshman and F38 para athlete, Michael Jenkins (Swansea Harriers, Ryan Spencer-Jones), will be aiming for Commonwealth Games and European Cup standards for the non-para discus. In the men's U18 competition, Moyo Stumpenhusen (Rugby & Northampton, Gary Herrington), will look to go one better than his second place finish in Växjö, where he threw a new indoor national record and European U18 standard.

Hammer

Current British and English hammer champion, Jake Norris (Windsor, Slough, Eton & Hounslow, Nick Ridgeon) is opening his season in Loughborough. Throwing almost two metres over the Commonwealth Games standard in 2025, this competition will act as the perfect warm-up to test the winter training. Fellow 2025 English champion, Charlotte Payne (Newbury AC, Ian Payne), will also be opening her season. Last year Charlotte was the youngest British female to throw over 70 metres - so we are excited to welcome her to the championships and see how she has been training at this early point in the year.

Javelin

After a troublesome injury a couple of years ago it is fantastic to see Sophie Hamilton (Harrow AC/Loughborough Students, John Trower) contest the senior women's javelin. Sophie has already thrown over the European Throwing Cup consideration standard, so will be throwing to secure her spot on the U23 European Throwing Cup team.

Fresh from success in Sweden representing England, Ned Scott (Winchester & District, Bronwin Carter) and Lucy Bull (Swindon Harriers, Tony Jackson) are set to challenge the U18 javelin competition. Having both already secured the European U18 standard, this weekend is the perfect opportunity to fine tune their throwing ahead of an exciting season.

Seated shot put

We're delighted to also welcome seated shot putters to the championships this weekend. With just a couple of weeks until the selection window for the Commonwealth Games closes, this weekend is an important opportunity to improve their Commonwealth ranking.

Competition organiser and National Event Manager for Throws, Nick Ridgeon, said:

"The National Winter Long Throws is set to be a fantastic competition, bringing together some of the best British throwers across the different events and age groups. It has been great to see the success of the North & Midlands, and Southern Winter Long Throws Championships in recent weeks, and I am delighted we are able to give such a high level of competition to the long throws athletes at this point in the season.

"I would like to thank all of the volunteers, officials, coaches and athletes who have taken the time to organise, officiate, support and compete at the championships this weekend. I wish each of the athletes the very best of luck and look forward to celebrating their successes."

Exclusive Q&A

We are delighted to also be holding a very special, exclusive Q&A session on Sunday. This panel will feature current and ex-athletes from across each of the event groups including Jake Norris, Zara Obamakinwa, Steve Backley, Goldie Sayers and more. Throughout this session the speakers will answer questions, inspire and share their knowledge with athletes, parents and coaches alike.

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