Louisa second on England duty

The 18-year-old produced a best throw of 59.21m at a senior international in Bedford. That effort met the qualifying standard for the European Junior Championships, something which James had already achieved with a personal best 60.83m in the Sussex Championships at Crawley last month.

“It’s just waiting for it all to come together,” said former Hastings Athletic Club talent James. I think my technique’s got better since last year, but I’ve not connected on a throw yet so hopefully I’ll start connecting soon.”

James, a Sussex Coast College Hastings pupil from Sedlescombe, has a British Athletics League meeting this weekend, plus All England and Southern under-20 and under-23 events during a busy period leading up to the European Juniors in Rieti, Italy, from July 18-21.