Ewell Village’s hurdling sensation Shona Richards announced herself on the global stage last week by winning silver in the 400m hurdles at the IAAF World Junior Championships.

The 18-year-old set a personal best of 56.16 seconds and broke the British junior record in the process.

Richards’ time also ranks her as the fastest U20 UK woman of all time and the third fastest woman in the UK this year.

She missed out on gold to America’s Shamier Little by 0.50 seconds, and clinched the runners-up spot on a photo finish from Jade Miller, also from the States.

She said: “I’ve been training for this all year. In my head I was thinking ‘Come on fight for that place’ and I completely forgot about the national record.

"I think as soon as you forget about things like that it’s when you get them.”

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One to watch: Shona Richards. left, from Ewell Village