Bradfield aims for javelin elite

By Alex Hill
BBC Norfolk

Bradfield threw 60.42m at the English Schools Championships

Norfolk youngster Oliver Bradfield, from Taverham, hopes to become one of the world's best having broken county, regional and national records.

The 13-year-old, who is a pupil at Gresham's school, was recently voted young sports person of the year at the Norfolk Sport Awards.

"Javelin isn't a particularly popular event in the UK so winning the award was very special," he told BBC Norfolk.

The young athlete first started javelin two years ago at school.

"I only started throwing the javelin in March 2007 and by July I had managed to break an 18-year under-12 national prep schools record," he added.

"I added the under-13 and under-14 school titles with new record throws and last year I became the first UK 12-year-old to break 50m."

Bradfield soon became the first 13-year-old to break 60m by throwing 62.33m, which became the best throw in the world for his age this year.

This was followed by the English Schools Championships in Sheffield last July where he achieved even more success.

"I'll never forget the English Schools Championships. Breaking the under-15 record with my best throw of 60.42, almost 6m further than the record was an amazing experience.

Breaking the old under-15 record in five out of my six throws at the English Schools Championships was an amazing exeperience

Oliver Bradfield

"It was also a great honour for me as national champion to be introduced to Dame Kelly Holmes, Jason Gardiner and Geoff Capes."

Bradfield's javelin coach Tim Newenham, a former international thrower, believes it is the 2012 Olympics which first encouraged the youngster to start.

"He's a fantastic all-rounder," he said. "But it's javelin that he's focused his enjoyment, commitment and skills to be the best in the world for his age.

"It's hugely satisfying for Oliver and everyone around him to be part of a success story that's gained inspiration from the Olympics that can continue beyond 2012," said Newenham.

All-rounder

Javelin is not Bradfield's only sporting speciality as he is also a keen rugby, hockey and cricket player and was recently selected for the under-14's Leicester Tigers elite player development squad.

Oliver's aim is to break the under-15 boys all time record of 63.86m

"I was put forward for the Eastern Counties school of rugby and then I was selected for Leicester Tigers where I have a session every fortnight at Swaffam RFC," he added.

"I attended an East area hockey camp last year and was then put forward to attend a summer course at the junior regional performance centre but unfortunately training clashed with athletics and cricket matches so I wasn't able to pursue hockey any further."

Bradfield believes playing a range of sports can only help him become a more well-rounded athlete.

"I feel that team sports can add to my overall development. I enjoy lots of different sports as they're always a lot of fun. I've found that with athletics, you are essentially competing against yourself," he said.

"You're very much in the spotlight so the pressure is a lot greater and you only have yourself to blame if you fail."

Future aims

Having to juggle school work with training means his days are very long, but off the back of his recent successes he is keen to break more records and make his way to the top.

He's a fantastic all-rounder but it's javelin that he's focussed his enjoyment, commitment and skills to be the best in the world for his age

Tim Newenham, Oliver's coach

"My best throw so far has been 62.33m," he said. "So next year I would like to break the UK under-15 boys all-time record of 63.68m.

"Hopefully if my training goes well and I'm lucky I might be able to get close to the 70m mark."

At under-15 level Bradfield currently throws the women's weight javelin of 600g whereas the men's weight is 800g, so London 2012 may prove too soon for him to grace the Olympic stage.

"It's a big step up, however I will ideally aim for the Rio 2016 Olympics," he said. "In the meantime I want to continue with team sports as I feel they can add to my overall development as a sportsman."