Day ten saw outstanding performances from former and current Loughborough College students with Sophie Hitchon smashing a new personal best to claim Olympic bronze in the hammer throw, Angela Hannah progressing to the K2 500m final on the water, Nicola White making it six games for six with Team GB hockey for a place in the semi final and a strong show for Katie Clark in synchronized swimming.
Sophie Hitchon’s final attempt took her to the podium in Rio and into the history books as she became the first British athlete to win an Olympic hammer throw medal..
After a no throw, the 25 year old British record holder went into medal contention with 73.29m from her second attempt. She was then knocked out of the top three in the fourth round – before her last throw of 74.54 became a British record and secured the former Loughborough College student her historic bronze medal.
“I knew it was there if I pulled together and it is a bit special,” said Hitchon.
“I didn’t think I had done enough in the second round, I knew the girls could throw further than that and I would never rest on a throw, I always want to push for more.
“I knew if I could pull it together it was going to go far, I just kept believing that.”
Elsewhere former Loughborough College student Angela Hannah finished in 1:53.948 in the K2 500m heats to progress to the semi-final where she finished in 1:49.285 to reach today’s final.
Great Britain booked a place in the Olympic hockey semi-final, with former Loughborough College student Nicola White in the starting eleven, with a convincing 3-1 win over Spain.
Danny Kerry’s side dominated to make it six games for six in their Pool, setting up the semi-final with New Zealand on Wednesday.
Current Loughborough College student Katie Clark with partner Olivia Federici missed out on qualification to the next stage of the Olympic synchronised swimming event, despite a strong performance at Maria Lenk Aquatic Centre.
After Sunday scoring 79.9667, the duo swum performed significantly better on Monday to claim 80.7650 points.
It gave Federici and Clark an overall total of 160.7317 which secured the 17th place in a strong Olympic field.
“It is just such a nice atmosphere to be in a venue that is outside and to be in Rio.
“We feel really privileged to be here and we are very happy,” said Clark.
“London was always going to be special because it was a home Games but Rio has done a really great job in hosting the Olympics.
“It is really chilled out here and that is the atmosphere you want when you are trying to compete and put in your best performances on the big stage.
“The World Championships next year are a big goal for us and we want to keep taking GB up the rankings so hopefully it is onwards and upwards from here.”
Olympic bronze medallist and former Loughborough College student Robbie Grabarz is in finals action at the track and field in the high jump on day eleven with fellow former students Jack Burnell and Angela Hannah respectively bringing Team GB’s swimming campaign to a close in the marathon and competing in the Women’s K2 500m Final.
Pictured: Former Loughborough College student Angela Hannah, today competing in the Women's K2 500m Final