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Lewes Athlete Crowned British Women’s Pole Vault Champion
Lewes Athletic Club athlete Gemma Tutton has been crowned British Women’s Pole Vault Champion after producing a superb performance at the British Athletics Championships in Birmingham on Saturday 20th June.
21-year-old Tutton secured the national title with a first-time clearance at 4.50 metres, the winning height in the women’s pole vault competition.
The victory marks the biggest senior achievement to date for the talented vaulter. Tutton has been a standout performer throughout her athletics career. As a youngster, she held national age-group records at both Under-13 and Under-15 levels. After that, Tutton went on to win the English Schools Intermediate Girls Pole Vault title in July 2021.
Coached by Richard Pilling, Tutton continues to represent Lewes Athletic Club while also training with the Sussex Pole Vault Group at Lewes AC. The specialist training group has access to a unique facility in a barn at Iford Estate Farm near Lewes, where athletes from across the region develop their pole vaulting skills during the winter months.
Her British Championship triumph is a significant milestone not only for Tutton but also for the local athletics community, highlighting the success of grassroots coaching and facilities in East Sussex.
Lewes Athletic Club Chair Philip Westbury said, “Gemma’s British title is a fantastic achievement and a proud moment for everyone at Lewes Athletic Club and the Sussex Pole Vault Group at Lewes AC. Her dedication, hard work and consistency over many years have seen her progress from a record-breaking junior athlete to British Champion. She is a wonderful ambassador for the club and an inspiration to the next generation of young athletes who can see what is possible through commitment, perseverance and a love of the sport.”
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