I’M SO PROUD OF MY GOLDEN GIRL
Coach dad Scott celebrates Abi’s double kettlebell win
A 10- year- old Paisley girl has returned home from Spain a world champion after striking gold at the IKMP World Kettlebell Marathon Championships.
Representing Scotland at the tournament, Abi McLaughlin finished in first place in both of her events having only taken up the sport last year.
The Brediland Primary School pupil developed a passion for the sport after taking a keen interest in her dad Scott’s training.
The championships, which took place in Antequera, Spain, featured 206 athletes from 22 countries across the globe, with Abi coming out on top in the 4kg Long Cycle and 3kg Snatch trials.
Scott was understandably proud of Abi’s success but admitted he was an ‘emotional wreck’ while his daughter performed.
He said: “For Abi this was an amazing experience to have at just 10.
“For Abi, kettlebell sport is something that she’s been training in for just over a year with myself as her coach.
“I’ve never seen my daughter so excited before and this was just for the trip and chance to represent her country.
“After completing both lifts she was on cloud nine having hit new personal bests in both lifts, being complimented on her composure, technique and fitness by world class coaches and lifters.
“When Abi was called up to receive her first place medals she was beaming with pride, draped in a Saltire.
“I honestly don’t think I’ve ever seen her look so happy before.
“As for myself being both her father and coach, I was an emotional wreck.
“There was definitely more than one occasion where she had me teary eyed with pride and happiness for her.
“It’s been lovely to see how her training has helped her develop in so many ways, gaining self confidence, a passion for health and fitness, a drive and determination to achieve targets that she set, and to just see her having fun doing it all.
“The next morning at breakfast Abi told me how cool it was that we both became world champions in the same year, which again had me close to tears.”
Abi and Scott are hopeful she can add to her medal haul and continue to represent Scotland at major competitions next year.