YORK shot putter Scott Lincoln insists his silver medal at the Sainsbury’s British Indoor Championships is the perfect way to kick-start a busy season.

The 21-year-old threw 17.37 metres to runner-up at Sheffield’s EIS as he couldn’t keep pace with gold medallist Zane Duquemin who took the title with a best effort of 17.72m.

It looked like Lincoln might be able to make a splash at the event but Duquemin had too much in the tank to hold the youngster off, Youcef Zatat taking bronze with 17.14m.

But despite failing to climb the top step of the podium there was no wiping the smile off Lincoln’s face in the Steel City.

“I’m pretty happy to come away with a silver medal to be honest. I feel like I’ve got more in me but it just hasn’t come out yet because it’s still early in the season,” said Lincoln, who was speaking at the event in Sheffield, which sees Sainsbury’s act as the Major Event Series partner of British Athletics.

“I’ve definitely got more in the tank and I haven’t started any explosive work yet so there’s loads more to come and I’m just ready to kick on from here.

“It’s a solid start to the season and even though I feel there is more there it comes out when it comes out and you can’t rush it.

“I was hoping to throw consistently which I wasn’t far off doing. I just wanted a medal really and didn’t come with any other expectations.

“Having such a strong field pushes me hard and keeps me honest. I’ll take the silver into the season and go from here.”

There was plenty more of York’s finest in action in Sheffield, but there was disappointment for rising sprint star Tom Somers who pulled up in the semi-final of the 200m with an injury.

And there was more disappointment in the women’s 60m hurdles where Chelsea Walker struggled to progress beyond the heats, clocking 9.01 seconds and finishing in last place.

However, the City of York athlete refused to get too down about her performance and says she was happy to compete without any pressure.

“I was the youngest in that race so I was pleased with how I did. I’ve always got next year, I’ll still be a junior next year so I’m quite happy with that,” 17-year-old Walker said.

“There really wasn’t much pressure on me because people expect the older athletes to do well and I’ve got plenty more years to come.

“I always enjoy hurdles but I’m more of a 400m hurdler than a sprint hurdler.

“I want to get a GB vest this year, I wanted to get one last year but I was injured, I had a stress fracture in my back which I did going over a hurdle but now that’s sorted so I want to push on.”

• Sainsbury’s is a proud partner of British Athletics. The partnership reflects Sainsbury’s wider commitment to inspiring healthy lifestyles for all, and complements grassroots campaigns such as Active Kids and the Sainsbury’s School Games. www.sainsburys.co.uk