AN overjoyed Sophie Hitchon is through to the Olympic hammer finals after smashing her British record in the qualifiers yesterday.

Sophie, 21, kept the crowd – and her mum and dad – on the edge of their seats as she had three attempts to secure her place in Friday’s finals.

The Burnley athlete, who is a Blackburn Harrier, completed a first-round attempt of 67.21m followed by a foul throw in the second round. But she produced a superb throw of 71.98m in the final round, improving her own British record by 37cm.

The effort was short of securing the automatic qualification distance of 73m, but good enough to finish fifth overall in Group A.

She was forced to wait for Group B results to see if she qualified as one of the top four longest throws outside the four group winners, which she did comfortably.

Dad Michael Hitchon, 49, who was at the Olympic Stadium cheering on Sphie, said: “It was like being on a rollercoaster. One moment you’re up and then she threw a no throw and my stomach went through the floor. And when she got the record, we were on top of the world.

“There were a few tears shed, and we were all screaming and shouting.

“We knew she was throwing well in training , but it all changes when you walk out on to the track and get in front of the crowd.

“When she threw the ‘no throw’, I had my head in my hands. It put so much pressure on her last throw. But she was unbelievable. She smashed it.

“It just shows she can come through even when the pressure is on.”

Sophie has received backing from her coaches, friends, family and colleagues back home.

Harriers secretary George Davies said: “I was absolutely delighted to see her throw. Everyone here was running around and jumping up and down when we saw her compete.

“She has broken the British record four times this year. No woman in British hammer throwing history has thrown that far. It’s phenomenal.

“To be in the Olympic final at 20 years of age is mind-blowing.”

After qualifying Sophie tweeted: “Thanks to everyone for the support, through to an Olympic Final!”