BROADSTONE trampolinist Izzy Songhurst admits she had to pinch herself after leaving the Australian Youth Olympic Festival clutching silverware.

The 14-year-old had to wait until Saturday and the penultimate day of the Festival to make her bow Down Under at the State Sports Centre in Sydney’s Olympic Park.

And when she finally got going Izzy looked eager to make up for the wait as she scored 139.010 to finish the women’s individual event just short of the podium in fourth.

But there was no such agony for the Broadstone Middle School pupil when she returned to action just hours later alongside Megan Pettit in the synchronised event.

The pair claimed silver behind New Zealand and Izzy, who didn’t think her Australian adventure could get any better after her individual event, was happy to be proved wrong.

“It was really good to win the silver in the synchro and this is by far the best medal I have won in my career,” she said. “It was the first time Megan and I had done synchro together so this is a pretty good start.

“In the individual event I wasn’t expecting to finish as high as I did so I was already really happy because I surprised myself.

“But then to go on and win the silver afterwards was just amazing and all in all it was a great competition for me.”

And, no sooner had the dust settled Down Under, was Izzy already looking to the future adamant it is bright after getting 2013 off to the best possible start.

“I am really confident about this year now after starting 2013 like this, it is going to be a good year,” she added.

“We have the World Age Group Championships in November so I just want to work towards that and this gives me the confidence to do well again.”

  •  The British Olympic Association prepares and leads British athletes at the summer, winter and youth Olympic Games. It works in partnership with sport National Governing Bodies to enhance Olympic success and is responsible for championing the Olympic values. www.olympics.org.uk