Kerenza Bryson produced a superb display to claim silver in the women’s final at the Junior World Championships and continue her brilliant 2019 season. After a stunning start in the fencing hall, the 20-year-old Brit was never lower than third throughout the competition, crossing the line 2nd to win her second silver of the week in Drzonkow after also finishing on the second step of the podium in the women’s relay on Sunday.
Strong displays from Olivia Green and Georgia Hannam saw them finish 11th and 24th 
respectively with the three individual scores also seeing Bryson, Green and Hannam claim team bronze, matching their feat from last month’s Junior European Championships.
That took the British medal total at this year’s Junior major championships to 7 and underlined the incredible group of athletes and coaches GB currently boasts with a plethora of medals on the senior world cup circuit in 2019 too. For Bryson, it was a first individual major championship medal whilst she became the first British athlete to claim an individual medal at a Junior World Championships since Francesca Summers’ 2015 triumph in Mexico City.
Story of the Day
The women’s final began yesterday with the fencing ranking round, Plymouth’s Bryson immediately vaulting herself into medal contention with an excellent performance of 24 victories and just 11 defeats from her 35 bouts. Morecambe’s Hannam (18 victories) and Saddleworth’s Green (16 victories) also performed well to leave themselves well placed overnight.
19-year-old Green, the youngest member of the British women’s squad in Poland, led the way in the swim, clocking a 2:18.17 for her 200m. Hannam (2:20.61) and Bryson (2:23.17) also improved on their qualifying times, demonstrating that the British trio were all in good form. That left Bryson 3rd after the opening two disciplines with Hannam 17th and Green 20th in the overall standings.
The ride caused issues for many of the athletes and included six eliminations. However, the Brits kept their composure whilst others around them faltered, Bryson and Green both rolling just a single pole apiece to score 293 points for their rounds. It was also just poles for TASS supported athlete Hannam with four knockdowns seeing her pick up 272 points.
That moved Bryson up to 2nd with Green 11th and Hannam 19th heading into the concluding laser run.
Although she was unable to close the gap on Russian leader Adelina Ibatullina, some sharp shooting saw Bryson increase the gap on those behind her to take a superb silver medal at the sport’s flagship junior event. Behind her, strong running saw Green maintain her place in 11th despite some struggles on the range with Hannam crossing the line 24th to ensure the British team bronze and her second medal of the week after teaming up with Bryson in Sunday’s relay.
Tomorrow sees the men’s final concluding in Drzonkow after their ranking round took place today. There was further British optimism with Oliver Murray finishing the discipline in 2nd with 22 victories and 12 defeats to his name, 2 victories ahead of Myles Pillage. Bradley Sutton ended the day with a level fence of 17 victories and 17 defeats meaning all three athletes are well placed heading into tomorrow.
Courtesy of Pentathlon GB
