SOUTH Zeal has a new national champion in the shape of Sarah Gomersall, who together with her twin sister, Laura, has taken the world of Modern Pentathlon by storm.
Sarah beat stiff competition from across the country at the Under 16 National Modern Pentathlon Tetrathlon Championships in Wolverhampton, which includedddd her sister who finished fourth overall, to take the coveted title.
Sarah excelled in the running phase and had a personal best time in the swim. The tetrathlon also includes shooting and fencing.
The 15-year-old is in good company —previous holders include Emily Bright, the 2001 Junior World Silver medalist, and Sian Lewis, 2001 World Cup Gold and World Championship Team Gold medalist (with Olympic medal holders Kate Allenby and Steph Cook)...
Sarah's proud mum Maggie Gomersall said it was a great start to the New Year, after a phenomenal 2001 which saw the girls represent their country in the European and International Championships.
'It is another step towards their ambition to take part in the Olympics,' said Mrs Gomersall.
'The competition was tough and it is good experience for them.'
Sarah has also just qualified for the English Schools Cross Country Championships — Laura qualified last year but the event was cancelled due to foot and mouth disease.
The girls, who are keen horse riders, took up triathlon and modern pentathlon last year and have not looked back since.
They hope to follow in the footsteps of Tavistock's Kate Allenby who achieved a bronze medal in modern pentathlon at the Sydney Olympics in 2000.
Mrs Gomersall said the girls were committed to their goal but they also had to balance their sport against school work.
This year they were due to take their GCSEs, she said.
'They look at each event as a new challenge and it just depends how well you perform on the day.
'The girls are both as good as each other, so one day Laura does really well and another day Sarah does.'