BURNLEY hammer thrower Sophie Hitchon finished eighth in the European Championships in Berlin.

The 27-year-old, who won bronze at the Rio Olympics in 2016, threw 70.52m.

And Hitchon admitted she is still battling to get to grips with a new technique she began working on ahead of the Commonwealth Games.

“I just need some more time throwing with the way I’m throwing now,” she said.

“It’s been such a big change in my technique this year. I could have easily not competed this year – I’m working on new stuff.

“But I want to compete for my country and went in wanting to give it everything I’ve got.

“I’m obviously disappointed but I couldn’t have done anything else.

“I had a bunch of fouls, but that’s what I had to do; I had to go in strong, but it didn’t hold together.”