Shot-putter Scott Lincoln plots national success (From York Press)

Shot-putter Scott Lincoln plots national success

11:10am Thursday 2nd February 2012 in Sport By Steve Carroll, Sports reporter

THROWER Scott Lincoln wants to smash through the 17-metre barrier as he bids to claim a UK title.

The 18-year-old City of York Athletics Club shot-putter made a sensational start to his international career on Monday when dominating a four nations competition for England Under-20s at Cardiff.

Lincoln’s winning throw of 16.90m was a full metre and a half ahead of any of his competitors, drawn from Scotland, Wales and Ireland. So far ahead was he of his rivals that any of his six efforts would have been enough to take top honours.

Now, having made a splash on the highest stage, Lincoln wants to follow up by taking the UK Under-20s Indoor Championship at Birmingham on February 26.

“It was the first time I had represented England and it was great to put the kit on,” he said. “I dominated the competition. I thought I was going to be rubbish but I was quite relaxed and the performance does give me a boost.

“I know what I can do and I’m going to the UK Championships hoping to win it. I threw 16.90m at Cardiff and both me and my coach, Paul Wilson, know there is more in me to come out.”

Lincoln is trying to combine his burgeoning athletics aspirations with a full-time job as a builder and he admits it is difficult to achieve a balance between work and training. He is hoping that, should he continue to improve, funding might not be too far away.

“It’s quite hard,” added Lincoln, who thanked his family for their support during his Cardiff excursion. “You get back from a hard day at work and you have to do your training. I enjoy it but I am tired just from doing so much work. If I could get funding I would do it full-time straight away.

“For now, I want to break 17 metres as quickly as I can and, hopefully, I can do that in the next competition.”

Coach Wilson believes Lincoln should target a place at the World Junior Championships in Barcelona in July.

A throw of 19 metres before the end of June would gain him automatic selection for the Great Britain team, while a top-two finish at the UK Championship could also earn him a place.

“Fingers crossed he can do it,” said Wilson. “He’s got the determination and if he keeps training as hard as he is, he could get there.”

Lincoln is currently ranked number one in the UK at under-20s level and his throw of 16.90m puts him 17th on the all-time list at that age group.