Zane Duquemin

I began throwing at the age of 11 after a torn adductor stopped me from doing any of the running or jumping events for nearly a year. My older sister was doing some throwing at the time so I gave it a go and I took to it straight away. While I continued to do sprint hurdles and the odd relay leg I knew throwing was where my future lay. I decided to stop all other sports and focus fully on throwing at the age of 16 in an attempt to qualify for the London Olympics. After a lot of hard work and persistence I managed to work my through the ranks and throw the Olympic ‘B’ standard in the discus with a throw of 63.46m. Unfortunately I was not selected due to the exceptionally high standard of discus throwing in Great Britain that year but it’s served as a great source of motivation for me ever since. As I’ve matured it has become apparent that shot will probably be my main event and my potential as a shot putter was underlined in 2013 as I threw 19.42m. This was the second best throw ever by a Brit as an u23 and was just 6cm away from the British Record. In the same year I also finished 4th at the European u23 Championships throwing two personal bests in the final to narrowly miss out on a medal. In 2014 my season was hampered by injury but I still managed to win two British titles and make the final in both events at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. Looking forward to the 2015 season I hope to qualify for the World Championships in Beijing and begin to establish myself on the international circuit.

Achievements

2014 (so far)

British indoor shot champion Second longest discus throw by a Brit indoors of all time

2013

4th in shot at European u23 Championships
British no.1 for shot
British no.2 for discus
England u23 Championships Shot Gold
England u23 Championships Discus Gold

2012

Threw the Olympic qualifying standard for discus
England u23 Championships Shot Gold
England u23 Championships Discus Silver

2011

England u23 Championships Shot Gold
Island Games Champion in both events

2010

Commonwealth Games finalist in both events
English Schools Silver for discus
England u20 Championships Silver for discus

2009

English Schools Silver for discus
Island Games Champion for discus

2008

English schools intermediate champion for discus
Schools Home International winner for discus
UK School Games winner for discus
Youth Commonwealth Games Finalist in both events