08 October 2019

GB's Sophie McKinna tells how she has to juggle two other jobs in order to compete

GB shot putter Sophie McKinna says that despite her success as an athlete, she has had to hold down two jobs in order to compete.

The 25-year-old has won gold at the youth Commonwealth Games, two silver medals in European events and as a result of her performance at Doha has qualified for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

McKinna said: "I'm a gym instructor and I'm a custody officer so I'm quite busy.

"[Working] full time as an athlete is a possibility, it all depends on whether I get funding from British Athletics next year. This year I didn't have it so I had to work to live, as we all do. This has been a little frustrating at times."

McKinna has also revealed her grandad was the inspiration for her career in sport and that she started out as a 100m sprinter.

The Team GB athlete said: "My grandad [former Norwich City player Dave Stringer] was a professional footballer when I was younger so I was encouraged into all things sport.

"I started as a 100m sprinter believe it or not.

"I was okay. I won county medals but I was never going to be Dina Asher-Smith so my mum said 'why dont you give shot put a go'. She entered me into a competition without me knowing about it," McKinna told BBC Breakfast.

Although McKinna came 11th at the Doha World Championships she has qualified for Tokyo 2020. 

She said: "[Doha was the] best experience of my life. It was absolutely amazing to get my personal best on the world stage. It's a dream come true. Securing the Olympic qualification means my job is a lot easier next year when choosing competitions."

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