'Mia always had energy, drive and determination'

Olympic snowboarder Mia Brookes has always been full of energy, drive and determination, her former headteacher has said.

The 19-year-old from Sandbach, Cheshire, narrowly missed out on a medal at the Winter Olympics on Monday, coming fourth in the snowboard big air final.

It came after Brookes over-rotated on her final attempt – a 1620 trick featuring four and a half rotations - which BBC Sport commentator Ed Leigh said would have won her gold.

Despite not winning a medal, Emma Clark, who was the young snowboarder's headteacher at Elworth Hall Primary School, said the staff were "so proud" of her.

"It was phenomenal, we had cheers in our staff WhatsApp group – we were all watching her from our own living rooms," she told BBC Radio Stoke.

"It was just incredible to know that we've been part of that journey."

Clark said she could tell Brookes had a bright future ahead of her from a young age, adding that her former pupil took the school community "by storm".

This included being the school's cross-country team winner two years in a row.

"She threw herself into whatever she was given as a challenge. She has just flown and we're all so proud," she said.

The Team GB athlete is among the biggest names in snowboarding, despite her young age, having become the sport's youngest senior world champion in 2023.

She is also a two-time gold medallist at the X Games, an invitation-only event widely seen as the holy grail of action sports.

Her parents Vicky and Nigel have always been supportive of their daughter's ambition, being snowboarding enthusiasts themselves.

She was just 18 months old when she tried the sport for the first time at Kidsgrove Ski Centre in Staffordshire.

Ann Loton, chair of North Staffs Ski Club, which is based at the centre, has known Brookes and her family for many years.

"She was so unafraid of being on a board," Loton said. "She just loved the sensation of sliding down the carpet."

Brookes has another shot at a medal during the Milano Cortina 2026 games in the slopestyle event, which begins on Monday.

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