EMERSONS Green teenager Isabelle Walkey could be a star of future Olympics after winning two national 100m sprint titles.
The 16-year-old former Winterbourne Academy pupil, who has just sat her GCSEs, represented the school and Team Avon at the 93rd English Schools Athletics Track and Field Championships at the Alexander Stadium in Birmingham in July.
One of more than 1,700 athletes competing, Issy won her heat convincingly before taking the under-17s women’s title in the final, with a time of 12.07 seconds.
She then took part in her first international competition, representing England at the Schools International Athletics Board (SIAB) event at Carmarthen, where she won a silver medal competing against athletes from Wales, Scotland and Ireland.
Issy then returned to Birmingham for the England Athletics U17 championships, winning the 100m final in a personal best time of 11.79 seconds to become national champion.
Mum Claire said Issy’s time puts her second in the UK and first in England for her age group.
Issy first developed a love of running at the age of six, both at Yate Athletics Club, where she is coached by Sandra Woodman, and at Blackhorse Primary School.
One of her first tastes of competition was taking part in the MAD Olympiad athletics event for local primary schools and she was encouraged by Blackhorse head teacher Simon Botten, who has been following her career since she left.
Issy hopes to continue her development at SGS College, where she plans to study sport at the WISE campus in Filton from September.
Claire said: “Her future aim is to train hard, remain focused and run faster!
“We are so proud of her.”
Issy said: “I have thought about my future in athletics – however, as I am still young I just want to carry on enjoying it and take each season as it comes.”
Asked if she had taken inspiration for the future from watching the Paris Olympics, she said: “I have really enjoyed watching the Olympics, especially Dina Asher-Smith and Daryll Neita, who are two GB athletes I think inspire and represent female sprinting well in this country.”