By Pippa Field

BLACKHEATH & Bromley Harriers triple jumper Stefan Amokwandoh could not hide his delight after storming back from last year’s disappointment to claim gold at the Sainsbury’s 2013 School Games in Sheffield.

The 17-year-old had hoped to make his bow at the Games as they were held across the Olympic venues in London in May 2012 but was edged out in the qualification process.

But given the stage to perform at the Don Valley Stadium this time around, Amokwandoh didn’t waste any time in leaving his mark, jumping 14.37m in the third round to secure victory.

That was 25cm shy of the personal best he set a week before competing in Sheffield, but Amokwandoh admitted winning gold still tasted sweet, especially coming after a mixed season.

“I was unlucky as someone jumped further than me and I missed out last year,” said Amokwandoh. “So to compete for the first time and win after last year’s disappointment was amazing.

“It is great to come out and perform on such a big stage and in front of such a big audience at the School Games is something I was looking forward to and it was brilliant.

“It is also a good way to finish off my season. It has been a season with ups and downs as I had some hamstring injuries but to end on a positive is great and gives me confidence heading into winter.

“I came into the competition in good form because in the two weeks building up to the School Games I had jumped a personal best twice so I felt really good coming into it.

“I was looking for another personal best but it didn’t quite happen but I am still really happy with the gold medal. The big aim next season is to jump 15m, hopefully in indoors.”

Amokwandoh wasn’t the only Blackheath & Bromley Harrier to strut his stuff at the School Games, supported by National Lottery funding from Sport England, with twins Shannon and Cheriece Hylton also topping the podium.

While Cheriece picked up gold in the 300m with a time of 39.33s, Shannon had stormed to victory in the 200m a day earlier in 23.87 to make it a weekend to remember for the Hylton family.

“This was my first and last Sainsbury’s School Games so I wanted to mark it in a special occasion and it feels great to have done that,” said 16-year-old Shannon.

“This was the end of my season really and the last big event and I wanted to end it on a good race and to come away with the win was fantastic.”

The Sainsbury's 2013 School Games, which is supported by National Lottery funding from Sport England and delivered by the Youth Sport Trust, was held in venues across Sheffield from 12-15 September 2013.

Visit 2013schoolgames.com for more information.

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