10 Facts About Sophie Hitchon

Sophie Hitchon was born on 11 July 1991 and is a retired British hammer thrower.

Sophie Hitchon is the British record-holder with a throw of 74.54 metres, set when winning the Olympic bronze medal at the 2016 Rio Games, Great Britain's first ever Olympic medal in the event.

Sophie Hitchon reached the hammer final at the 2012 London Olympics, and is the 2010 World Junior Champion, the 2013 European U23 Champion, and the 2014 Commonwealth Games bronze medallist.

Sophie Hitchon pursued a BSc in Business and Sport Management from the University of Hertfordshire.

Sophie Hitchon practiced ballet between the ages of 4 and 14 and credits it for teaching dedication to sport.

In March 2008, at the age of 16, Sophie Hitchon set a new junior record with a throw of 59.74m at the UK Throws event in Birmingham, followed by a 59.49m throw at the Blackpool Open Meeting the same weekend.

In July 2009, Sophie Hitchon won bronze in the hammer at the European Junior Championships.

In July 2011, Sophie Hitchon represented the UK in the European Under-23 Championships in Ostrava, Czech Republic, taking the bronze medal.

At the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Sophie Hitchon achieved a bronze medal in the women's Hammer throw with a distance of 68.72m.

At the 2016 Rio Olympics, Sophie Hitchon achieved a bronze medal in the women's hammer throw with a distance of 74.54 metres on her final attempt, setting a new GB record in the process.