CUMBRIA'S sole Paralympian has said that she wants to win a medal at the next Paralympic Games.

Anna Nicholson, who spent much of her youth in Brampton, finished sixth in the F35 shot put.

She threw a season's best of 8.03 metres in the lashing rain.

The 26-year-old has cerebral palsy that mainly affects her legs.

Speaking about her event, she said: "I did enjoy it. My main aim for this games was to go out and enjoy my competition, despite the weather.

"I was happy to throw over eight metres again. I know I’ve got so much more in me but it just wasn’t to be yesterday.

"I don’t like making excuses but with the weather it was an extremely slippy circle, and obviously I have cerebral palsy which mainly affects my balance, so that’s something I struggle with anyway.

"The weather made it even harder. "

Anna took up shot put alongside discus when she was 16.

Her early training sessions took place at the Sheepmount Athletics Stadium in Carlisle.

When rules for parasports changed in 2013, she focused solely on shot put.

Anna continued her development whilst studying a combined Masters in Chemical Engineering at Newcastle University.

In 2014 and 2015 she went to the World University Championships and has moved on from there.

She said that training during the pandemic had been difficult.

"It’s been a tough 18 months.

"One thing I’ve really struggled with is not actually throwing as much this past year. I used to do three sessions a week .

"I kind of forgot how to throw a shot put, which sounds really stupid, but just through the lack of practice."

After enjoying her time at the Paralympics, Anna is already looking towards the next Games:

"My main aim is in three years to be there and be on that podium and use the experience that I’ve got from being in Tokyo.

"Next year is the world championships. I’d like to medal there as well."