Newark sprinter Amy Hunt nominated for SportsAid’s One-to-Watch Award
She may be the reigning under-18 200m world record holder but Amy Hunt is determined not to limit her talents to the track.
The Newark-based sprinter caught the athletics world’s attention with a blistering 2019, clocking 22.42 at the Mannheim junior international in Germany in June to go third in the UK all-time senior rankings, before cruising to European junior gold in Boras, Sweden, a month later.
But away from the sport, the 17-year-old Kesteven and Grantham Girls’ School pupil is a dedicated A-Level student, who can be often found reading a novel or practising the cello – which she plays up to grade seven standard.
Now she is set to join illustrious company as one of ten nominees for the annual One-to-Watch Award, selected from around 1,000 rising British stars supported by SportsAid across more than 60 sports.
SportsAid’s One-to-Watch Award was launched in 2006 with double Olympic medallist and diving world champion Tom Daley the inaugural winner.
Dame Katherine Grainger, Britain’s most decorated female Olympian, and five-time Paralympic champion Natasha Baker are among the panel of judges.
And while a career in athletics is the ultimate goal for Hunt, the Charnwood club star insists she has plenty to occupy herself with in the coming year.
“It’d be amazing to be a professional athlete,” she said. “But nothing’s guaranteed and my A-Level exams are among my biggest priorities next year.
“I started athletics at the start of secondary school. I was always quicker than the boys, so I tried it and I absolutely loved it.
“Mannheim was just unbelievable. The priority for that competition was relays so I was just there to enjoy the 200m and I never in my wildest dreams imagined I would clock the time I did.
“I can’t describe what was going through my brain at the time - I was on the floor for about 20 minutes because I couldn’t believe it. Then to go and get European gold was amazing, too.
“Back home I study chemistry, English literature and music, and I’m hoping to go on to study English at university next year. It can be tough to manage the workload at times, but I just try and remember how the good times felt and sometimes it helps to have other things to think about too.
“To be shortlisted for this award is super exciting. It’s a really well-known honour and to have my name alongside the other nominees - who are all amazing athletes - makes me so proud of everything I’ve achieved.”
As Hunt toils through an ever-challenging catalogue of school work, winter training is in full-flow ahead of what could be another momentous outdoor season.
And with the travel costs incurred by international competition, the support of SportsAid - who offer funding and recognition to young athletes like Hunt at a crucial stage in their careers - has proved invaluable.
Hunt, who received her SportsAid award from the Mo Farah Foundation this year, said: “My biggest competition in 2020 is likely to be the junior world championships where I’d love to add to my European gold, but it’s also an Olympic year and while it’s not firmly on my mind I’d never rule it out.
“I broke Dina Asher-Smith’s under-20 British record in Mannheim and it’s really motivating to see how successful she’s been recently. Hopefully I can start looking at her 100m record and after that we’ll see what happens.
“SportsAid is really important because I have to go all over the world to compete and there are so many hidden costs involved that I just wouldn’t be able to do it all without them.
“I’m really thankful for all the support I get - including from my parents - and I just hope I can continue to be successful going forward.”
The winner of SportsAid’s prestigious One-to-Watch Award will be revealed at the charity’s Celebrate the Next event, sponsored by the Royal Bank of Canada, in London on Tuesday, November 19.
