SOPHIE Hitchon has broken the UK junior record for the women’s weight at the Hammer Circle Reunion Meeting in Hull.

The 18-years-old Blackburn Harrier from Burnley is already the UK U20 record holder for the hammer.

The weight is an implement of Scottish origin and was an Olympic sport until 1920. It shares some of the characteristics of the hammer but is on a very short chain with a handle and thrown with one handed.

It is not used regularly in competition except in the throws pentathlon, but it is popular in America.

The women use the 20lb version which they throw from a conventional shot putt circle, and Sophie reached a distance of 17.94 metres, which was not only a UK U20 record, but also the all-time third best by a British woman.