REBEKAH O’BRIEN, a Year 9 student at Kent College in Pembury, has won a silver medal at the Home Countries International Pentathlon in Glasgow on on November 10.
She competed in the hurdles, long jump, high jump, shot put and 800 metres in her first event representing England.
Her talent was noticed when she was 10 years old. She broke Kent College’s 800m and high jump records on the same day.
A talented all-rounder, Rebekah is also in the netball, swimming and hockey teams.
This year she was the South of England indoor and outdoor high jump champion and won the 800 metres for Kent, setting a new indoor record.
‘I try to go into competitions, not getting nervous,
just wanting to do my best as the other girls
competing are also very strong’
She told the Times: “After I won the silver on Friday I was feeling amazed and over the moon. I try to go into competitions, not getting nervous, just wanting to do my best as the other girls competing are also very strong.
“I was so happy to qualify for the Home Counties. The top four girls from each country compete so I knew I was up against the best of the best. My goal is to compete in the Commonwealth and Olympic Games.”
Rebekah is one of the college’s Sports Scholars. They are given performance programmes with mentor meetings to support the mental and physical wellbeing, one-to-one training sessions and performance analysis.
Mrs Georgina Hughes, Kent College’s Director of Sport, said: “Rebekah is a dedicated athlete with great potential. She will continue to succeed, as she has incredible resilience, determination and focus.”
