SOPHIE Hitchon says she’ll take a no fear approach in Sunday’s hammer final at the European Championships after she progressed through qualification.

The Burnley thrower competed in a field of 28 athletes at Berlin’s Olympiastadion and qualified in 11thplace with a throw of 68.69m.

Poland’s Anita Wlodarczyk topped qualification with a throw of 75.10m while Azerbaijan’s Hanna Skydan recorded a season’s best 74.02m with the second best effort of the day.

Hitchon, Olympic bronze medallist in Rio two years ago, is now planning an assault on the final as she looks to recover from fouling out of the Commonwealth Games back in April.

“It was a little bit shaky but I've said before that there are no medals available in qualification, you have just got to make it through as part of that 12,” said the 27-year-old Blackburn Harrier.

“I have got a day off and will come back on Sunday evening and hope to improve on today.

“It has been hit and miss this year. I am just going to give it my all and throw strong in the final and not be too scared of it - which I think I have been in the last year.

“I came fourth at the last Europeans so it would be nice to come away with a medal, but the girls are throwing so strong right now and it is all about long term. I just want to improve on today.”

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