The 16-year-old hammer thrower Abbi Carter set a new national record for her age group this month, of 55.44m. She is now preparing for the Sainsbury’s UK School Games, where she won gold in the hammer and silver in the discus last year. We found out how she hopes to do this time.

What’s it like having your mum coach you for the discus?

It’s stressful at times! You’re trying to have the mother/daughter relationship with the coach and athlete relationship at the same time. So it’s not quite the same as being with a normal coach, but it’s good because we get along and it’s something we both seem to like.

How did it feel to take back your national record the other week?

It felt awesome! It was a big relief in many ways, because I’ve had a really tough year personally. But the record helps getting over that kind of stuff. We knew that I could break it, it was just a matter of when.

Do you prefer hammer to discus?

Yeah, hammer’s a bit more natural to me. I’ll always like throwing discus, but hammer is where my heart lies.

Louisa James had only just set the latest hammer record in June. Did it make you more determined to beat her when she set it?

It did. She’s one of my really close friends and we’ve always had a really close rivalry.

She got selected for the Youth Olympic Games ahead of you. How did you feel when you didn’t get to go?

I was upset. My grandad had died two days before I went to qualifying, so I think that’s why I didn’t compete well. It got into my head during the competition. She deserved to go because she did better on the day, but I think if that hadn’t happened, I could have thrown a lot further.

You got gold in the hammer and silver in the discus at last year’s UK School Games. What are you hoping for this time?

Gold in hammer and a medal in discus. I’d be happy with bronze, provided I do well. But to get a medal and not throw well in my view, it’s almost like I don’t feel that I’ve achieved it. I know that sounds stupid if you’ve won a gold medal, but if you haven’t thrown well, then it doesn’t feel like it belongs to you properly.

What did you think of last year’s event?

I really liked it. I quite liked the fact that we were all together and you could hang around with anybody. It wasn’t as strict as I thought it would be. The competition itself was so fun, there was music on and it was… not a laugh, but it kind of calmed you down and helped you.

What are your ultimate ambitions in athletics?

I would say to go to the Olympics. At this moment in time, because I don’t know how good I’m going to be, I’d say that I hope to be a finalist, then hopefully maybe get a medal. Any medal will do, if it’s an Olympics!