Teenage weightlifter Rebekah Tiler admits she is struggling to comprehend with the year that has been after seeing her name on the ten-strong shortlist for the BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year award.
The 14-year-old has underlined her promise in more ways than one in 2013, claiming gold in the +63kg category at the European Youth Championships back in September.
She added to that by winning the youth and junior titles at the Commonwealth Championships in Malaysia last month and also finishing fourth among senior athletes.
Her achievements clearly haven’t gone unnoticed given her BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year nomination but Yorkshire schoolgirl Tiler can’t quite take it all in.
“It is an unbelievable achievement for me to get this far in the BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year Awards,” said Tiler.
“I am so proud of my family, my coach and other supporters because without their help I wouldn't have got this far.”
Meanwhile Ashley Metcalfe, chief executive of British Weight Lifting, wants Tiler’s recognition at such a young age to eventually lead to a successful senior career.
“Rebekah has had a fantastic year and really deserves her nomination. These awards are about rewarding success and highlighting those who have made an impact at the start of their careers,” he said.
“Hopefully it will provide Rebekah and her team the confidence, encouragement and focus to aim for further successes in the future as she progresses from the junior to senior ranks.
“It is an exciting time for our sport and Rebekah’s success highlights how weightlifting can be both a really enjoyable sport but also a beneficial one, helping people of all ages and sizes become stronger, fitter and healthier.”
© Sportsbeat 2013