TALENTED Okehampton shot-putt hero David Dawson has just come back from Italy with a well-earned gold medal.
He was representing Britain in an international three-way competition with Italy and Spain.
David, 18, from Northfield Road, was delighted with the result.
'It is not very often a shot-putter from Britain wins a gold,' said the Okehampton College student.
To maximise his world-class potential David works out three times a week at the rugby club gym to keep his 21st 7oz frame in good trim.
Having completed his A Levels he is off to Bath University where he will do a higher national diploma coarse on coaching education and sports performance.
'I have never been coached before. I have no technique — I use brute arm strength at the
moment,' he says.
With training David believes he could have put an extra two metres on his gold medal-winning 16metre 69 centimetre distance throw in Italy.
At Bath University David will be under the guidance of Great Britain junior team coach Ken Holmes.
'The whole point of the course is to become a coach myself — and also to tone up my throw.'
A while ago Okehampton Rotary gave David £250 to help with the cost of training. He bought new throwing shoes and also used the money to help with traveling expenses.
His trip to Italy was paid for by UK Athletics because he was representing his country.
'It was a really good atmosphere. There was a great team spirit and it was great fun,' he said.
While there he sampled some real Italian pasta and thoroughly enjoyed it —but admits his main gastronomic delight is eating meat.
'I eat a lot — steak, sausages, burgers. But I'm not into salad.
' I went for a kebab in Okehampton and they asked if I wanted salad with it. I said only rabbits eat salad — I'm a lion not a rabbit!'
He is also a cereal fanatic — topping and tailing the day with a big bowl of flakes at breakfast and bedtime.