Molescroft youngster Jessica Chapman has set her sights on being the new Kelly Holmes, or Rebecca Addlington – or, well, whoever she wants to be!
The 12-year old Longcroft School pupil has recently returned from Dubai with a gold medal as part of the Great Britain team which won the team biathle event in the World Championships.
She finished second Britain home in the event, which involves a 500m run, a 50m swim in open water and then another 500m run.
It’s an even more remarkable achievement as Jessica only took up the event 20 months ago and only finished in eighth place in the Great Britain final in Manchester earlier in the year.
Dad Chris takes up the story.
He told HU17.net: “The top six in Britain were selected to go to Dubai, and she finished eighth in Manchester, but because she had had such a good year she was selected in sixth place – the top five went automatically and the other was selected on merit.
“She was the slowest qualifier among the British team but she finished second Britain in the team event. The top three counted in the final scores and Britain won by just one second from South Africa.
“It was 35 degrees in Dubai and 27 degrees in the water, so it was a fantastic effort by her and the team!”
The event involved teams from all over the world, including other such sporting powerhouses such as Australia and France.
She was supported in Dubai by mum Lorraine, sisters Natalie and Laura, brothers Luke and Oliver, and her grandparents, all sporting Team Jessica t-shirts and cheering on their girl.
Chris continued: “It was an amazing day. We are delighted with her, we were all close to tears when she finished and she has come on in leaps and bounds and done amazingly well.
“We will never forget it. How many time do you win a gold medal? It may be her only one, but it may be her first and with Kelly Holmes her hero and the Olympics her dream, who knows what could happen?”
Jessica, who runs for Beverley AC and swims for Beverley Barracudas, says she loves both sports and has set her sights on being a multi-discipline athlete.
She said: “I was over the moon, it was an amazing experience, I loved every minute of it – I wish I could it again.
“I want to be in the Olympics. I want to do 1,500m, do long runs and I want to be a swimmer.
“I want to try the the triathlon too!”
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