ANDREW Elkins’s European Youth Olympic Festival dream turned into a nightmare in the hammer final as he failed to land a single throw in Finland.

The Poole-born 16-year-old, who only registered one valid throw in qualifying, exited the competition after three no throws in the Ratina Stadium in Tampere yesterday.

But the Lychett Minster School pupil insists it is back to the drawing board as he bids to banish his international debut disaster.

“My technique was all wrong and I kept falling over when I went to throw – it was a simple as that,” said Elkins.

“I’m gutted but I knew where I went wrong and I’ll make sure I learn from this.”

Elkins had been in fine form this season, taking the English Schools’ Championship title in Sheffield earlier this month with a throw of 63.34m.

And the Shaftesbury Barnet star has vowed to bounce back to form on his return to the UK.

“It is all a learning experience and this will be tough to take,” he added.

“But I’ll come back from this. I’ll train hard and try and make sure that this doesn’t happen again.

“I’ve really enjoyed my time here – apart from the final – and I definitely want to be part of something like this again.”

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