ISLANDER Nick Percy must surely be a medal favourite for the forthcoming Commonwealth Games in Birmingham after scooping discus gold at the UK Athletics Championships in Manchester. 

He was all smiles after throwing more than 65m for the first time in his discus career, on his way to breaking his own Scottish throwing record for an incredible fourth time this season. 

Conditions were tricky due to the blustery winds at the Manchester Arena. 

Glaswegian-born Nick, from Bonchurch, near Ventnor, said: “It was windy, but you could use that if you caught it right.

“I knew that one was a big throw when it left my hand, and as soon as I heard ‘65’, I didn’t even wait to listen to the centimetres — I was ecstatic, with another PB and another consistent series of throws. 

Isle of Wight County Press:

“It’s been the story of my whole year. I’m glad that at just the right time, I actually got the big throw at a national championship — and at a world championship qualifying event.”

Nick threw out to 65.00m in a series that featured two other throws beyond 64m and one at 63.92m as he continues a superb 2022. 

His four best throws would have won the championship alone. 

Following the competition, UK athletics confirmed the next elections for the World Championships, to be held in Oregon, within a team of 78 athletes.

Isle of Wight County Press:  

Nick flew out to the United States on Sunday for 12 days of acclimatisation training, to compete in the qualifying rounds in Eugene, Oregon, on July 17. 

Following these championships, Nick has been selected to compete at the Commonwealth Games for Team Scotland. 

“It’s been an incredible week — breaking the Scottish national record and being selected for my second World Championships.”

The World Athletics Championships and the Commonwealth Games will be televised on the BBC.