Brilliant Oonagh is our new golden girl!

Saddleworth and Oldham has a new European sporting champion!

Crompton House School pupil Oonagh McManus has won the European Biathle Championships after representing Great Britain in Munich last Thursday - improving on her bronze medal from last year in Athens.

Biathle is a continuous run-swim-run event which consists of an 800m run followed by a 100m swim and then another 800m run.

The event is part of UIPM World Pentathlon and Pentathlon GB.

A total of 27 competitors from all over Europe made the under-15 age category finals in Munich.

Oonagh, who is 13, got a very good start in the first 800m run, going through the first tight section of the course in third place.

She took the lead at around 600m, closely followed by a Czech athlete and a GB team mate. 

She entered transition and after removing her shoes she entered the water in first place.

A fantastic swim gave her a 10 metre gap exiting the lake, and another impeccable transition saw her start the final 800m run with a comfortable lead.

She pushed on and with 200m to the finish had created 15 seconds gap to second place.

She turned the final corner and crossed the finish line, taking a comfortable victory.

It was a brilliantly executed race with everything going to plan.

Oonagh's proud Dad Barry said: "It's a dream come true.

"Oonagh is absolutely over the moon.

"It was an amazing performance, an incredible experience and a very proud and emotional moment us.

"She works incredibly hard and totally deserves it.

"I would like to add that none of this would have been possible without her amazing coaches at the North West Pentathlon Hub, Sale Harriers and Stockport Metro.

"We’d also like to thank the Saddleworth Round Table for their generous contribution and we hope Oonagh has done Oldham and Saddleworth proud."

She certainly has!

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