27th February 2026
Loughborough to host Winter Long Throws Championships this weekend
As the winter season comes towards an end Loughborough will host the Winter Long Throws Championships 2026 this weekend, featuring athletes from U16 to seniors.
This is a key opportunity for athletes to show form ahead of the European Throwing Cup, which will take place in Cyprus the 14th and 15th of March. For others it will be another opportunity to set European, Commonwealth, European U18 and World U20 championship standards.
In the women’s discus competition Zara Obamakinwa (Blackheath and Bromley, Mark Chapman) will be aiming to throw over 60m and add the U23 British Record to her collection of U18 and U20 records.
World Para Championship medallist, Michael Jenkins (Swansea Harriers, Ryan Spencer-Jones) will feature in the men’s discus competition. As a cerebral palsy athlete, Jenkins has got his eye firmly set on throwing big and outing himself in contention for select for the Euro Throwing Cup and Commonwealth Games.
In the hammer competition, the ones to watch are Jake Norris (Windsor, Slough, Eton & Hounslow, Nick Ridgeon) and Charlotte Payne (Newbury AC, Ian Payne).
After some time out from the sport due to an elbow injury and surgy U23 athlete Sophie Hamilton (Harrow AC/Loughborough Students, John Trower) will be wanting to showcase her form in the javelin competition at the weekend.
A special addition to this year’s competition is the seated shot put. The Winter Long Throws Championships is a great opportunity for athletes targeting Commonwealth Games to put themselves in the best position for qualification standard.
On Sunday there will be a Q&A featuring current and ex- international athletes, to promote the sport and inspire the next generation of athletes and coaches
Nick Ridgeon National Throws Manager said;
“The winter long throws championships is a key development area for throws across the UK. This past month has seen Scottish and Welsh Nations and North and Midlands and South Regional Winter Long Throws championships across England. The whole idea is about providing a competitive opportunity to help with participation and retention in throws with the long-term goal of increasing the number of athletes that progress through the talent pathway and perform at senior international championships.”
The competition organisers would like to thank officials, volunteers, coaches and athletes and those involved in the Winter Long Throws Championships.
For more information on the championship:
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