Phoebe Dowson, U23 Champs, Bedford 2014

Phoebe Dowson took discus gold at the U23 UK championships in Bedford last Saturday.
Phoebe opened her account with a safe 44.34m, but then proceeded to record 5 throws better than her previous PB and finished with a life-time best of 51.12m. This raised her own BAC all time record by 3m.
It was a close encounter with her friend and rival Shadine Duquemin, Shaftesbury BH. Phoebe posted her best throw in round 4 to take the lead, but then amazingly Shadine matched it exactly in round 5.  However another big throw of 50.61m from Phoebe in round 5 proved to be the decisive 2nd best throw, winning the gold on count back.
What a competition and certainly one of the performances of the week end from BAC’s discus diva!

Phoebe Dowson currently studying at the University of South Alabama, USA has opened up her track & field season in America by breaking the long-time BAC all time/senior discus record of 47.76m held by Lyn Smith since 1983.  Phoebe threw a life time best of 47.91m on 22 March in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.  Phoebe said afterwards, “This is a massive confidence boost after a difficult  12 months and a relief to improve my PB.  I had a good series of throws, but there is more to come.”

The week before Phoebe had also broken the BAC senior women’s hammer record in only her second year with this event.  A
PB of 43.85m on 15 March took care of the 42.12m record held by Emma Jones  since 1995.