Marshall Childs went one better than last year to strike gold at the English Schools Track & Field Championships, staged in Birmingham last weekend.

Childs launched the javelin out to an official personal best of 61.18m to win the senior boys’ title, and so improve on his silver behind fellow Suffolk athlete Harry Hughes in the intermediate age group from 12 months ago.

It was a dream come true for the 17-year-old member of Ipswich Harriers, who lost no time in stamping his authority on the competition against the other leading javelin throwers in the country, even though he was the youngest in the field!

“When I heard that I was the favourite to win, that really got my confidence up,” explained Childs.

“I sort of expected that I might win, but I was also not expecting it, so it was a 50-50 feeling. I was just hoping for a gold medal.

“Fortunately, I threw my best straight away, and that was never headed. The runner-up threw 59 metres, so I had a bit in hand.

“I’m over the moon to win the English Schools,” added Childs, who is coached by David Hughes at Northgate Stadium, in Ipswich.

A pupil at Suffolk One College, Childs had to call off an appearance with his band at the Music in the Park concert at Christchurch Park the previous weekend, so as not to disrupt his preparations for the English Schools event.

“I had to give this big gig a miss, which annoyed my band-mates. I was supposed to be playing drums,” revealed Childs.

“The band did play, but the rest of them were not happy with me.

“Still, I think my decision was justified with this gold medal. It paid off,” added Childs.