BLACKBURN Harriers hammer thrower Sophie Hitchon won gold at the Commonwealth Youth Games in India yesterday.

The 17-year-old student, from Thomas Whitham in Burnley, threw 58.43m.

After watching her boyfriend Pete Smith win gold in the men’s hammer competition, Sophie followed suit with gold in the women’s event.

The Burnley student made a nervous start with a no-throw but was ultimately too good for her opponents.

She took the lead with her second throw and then increased her advantage with her third and best throw of 58.43.

In the end it was nearly eight metres further than the best throw of silver medallist Maria Badenhorst from South Africa.

“I was nervous before the competition,” Sophie admitted afterwards.

“There was a lot of pressure on me to win and when I missed my first throw it made me even more nervous.

"But I managed to get it together - I just wanted to get a throw in on my second attempt and when I did that I felt better.

“I felt more nervous for Pete yesterday than I did for myself.

"It was great that he won but I guess it put a bit more pressure on me.

"It’s nice that we can both go home with gold medals.”