Elliott Evans achieves superb double medal successÂ in Schools International Pentathlon

Double international medal winner Elliott Evans with his mum Natalie and sister Freya. Picture: Paul Smith

Elliott Evans achieved a fantastic double with an individualÂ bronze medal and team gold in the Schools International Pentathlon.

England Schools took on Scotland, Wales and Ireland in the prestigious event hosted at the Emirates Arena in Glasgow.

The 15-year-old City of Portsmouth talent shone in the competition.

He was the best performing England athlete of the four-strong teamÂ as he stepped on to the podium to get the bronze.

It was a remarkable achievement, especially given he hadn't been able to train for four weeks ahead of the competition.

He had battled a hamstring injury to qualify but then had to take time out to recover.

Coach Terry Price revealed the achievement is a major one for the City athlete.

He said: '˜Elliott thoroughly enjoyed the event, it was fantastic.

'˜This is a huge achievement. When you consider it is not easy even to get selected to compete at English Schools.

'˜Then to qualify to represent English Schools is a significant achievement and to get on the podium is huge.

'˜He took a month off from training after the English Schools to clear his injury and make sure he was fully fit. So it wasn't the ideal preparation.

'˜We had said we felt Elliott could have won the English Schools title if he hadn't picked up the hamstring injury in the first event of the competition.

'˜He showed we were right to think that way because he was the top England athlete in the international.

'˜He doesn't lack confidence but this will give him assurance. He has shown he can compete under pressure.'

Evans took the bronze in the under-16 competition with a points total of 3,228.

Wales' Zak Wall won the gold with 3,486 and Ireland's Harry Nevin took the silver with 3,294.

Price added: '˜Elliott was close to his best in the shot and very good over the hurdles.

'˜He had a very solid 200m which is really good on an indoor track.

'˜The 800m was solid as well.

'˜One of his best qualities is that he always wants to do better.

'˜He is never satisfied with his own performance but he is happy.'

Evans also earned a bronze medal in the 80m hurdles at the England Athletics Indoor Championships in February and a silver in the English SchoolsÂ 80m hurdles outdoors in July.

Next year he will be competing in the under-17 age group.

First he will have a chance to rest and recover, then get back toÂ full training again with big changes to some of his events including higher hurdles and heavier weights in the throwing competitions.