TEENAGE modern pentathlete star Hannah Parker proved a crack shot when she attended the first weekend selection camp for the World Class Talent Programme.
Training was for 10 hours a day and saw athletes take part in a shooting competition, which Parker won, along with running time trials and gym tests, as well as fencing and swimming.
Modern pentathlon involves five completely different sports – 10 metre air pistol shooting, cross country running, swimming, fencing and horse riding.
Team GB women have a fantastic history at the Olympics, winning a medal at each games since the Modern Pentathlon was introduced in Sydney 2000 for women. In London last summer Samantha Murray won a silver medal.
Parker is a very talented pentathlete and dedicates more than 20 hours per week to training for the very demanding sport.
Bernie Moss, national modern pentathlon development coach, has been in close contact with the 16-year-old, who is deputy head girl at Brighton Hill Community College, offering advice to help her with her running.
Parker is already a member at Basingstoke and Mid Hants Athletics Club but, from December, was advised to up her running to six times per week, covering a distance of 35km.
Parker, who has riding lessons at Park Farm in Oakley, is a talented rider, already achieving riding certificates above her current age group.
The teenager is a member of Basingstoke Bluefins Swimming Club where she is currently still able to train with the top squad, even though swimming is only a fifth of her main sport.
In November last year Parker won two titles at the Hampshire Schools Swimming Championships in the 100m and 200m butterfly.
Her fencing training takes place in Winchfield where she trains with the adult club members and one other talented pentathlete.
Parker will be attending the second selection weekend this month when she will be again hope to impress the selectors.
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