Newton Abbot powerlifter Shachar Head may have her chance to shine in the 2012 Olympics, despite not competing.

The 15-year-old Newton Abbot College student has been shortlisted to carry the Olympic torch during next year's Games.

She was nominated through the Moment to Shine Campaign and could be part of the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay which will see 2,012 athletes carry the light across the country.

Shachar, from Audley Rise, was put forward by her father Julian and her new coach Chris Morgan, who is a judge with the British Drug Free Powerlifting Association.

'I was shopping with my friend and my coach text me to tell me I'd been shortlisted, I started screaming in the clothes store,' said Shachar.

'Chris has been shortlisted as well. It would be great if we both got picked as a coach and a lifter.'

'Just to be shortlisted is amazing,' said Shachar.

'I'd like to carry it through my home area, but I'd be proud to carry it anywhere within Devon. We're keeping our fingers crossed I get selected.'

Shachar took up the sport almost two years ago after going to the gym to get fit and is now passionate about competing. She now trains three days a week at Steve's Gym, Bradley Lane, with her trainer Chris Morgan.

'I'm writing everything down and he's giving me other lifters to look at which have a similar body shape. I can look at them to see what I should be doing in the future.

'I'm also starting to record my sessions so I can analyse where I can improve. I have a proper schedule. My old coach is great and still helps me.'

In May she set four new world records and became the new European champion for her age at the World Drug Free Powerlifting Federation's European Championships in Bournemouth.

She's now putting the hours in to compete in the world championships in Glasgow in November.

'I'm good at juggling. I finish school and go to gym, have dinner and then do revision or homework,' she said.

'I really hope to win my age category.'

Shachar would love to compete in the Olympics, but has hit a stumbling block as the sport isn't recognised by the Games.

'The World Drug Free Power Lifting Association has tried to make it an Olympic sport but the organisers are claiming that there are already too many power events,' she said.

'Hopefully one day it will be an Olympic sport.

'My coach thinks I have a great chance if it was registered as a sport for the games. I'm hoping so much that it's accepted one day.'

Entering championships in the UK and abroad can be expensive. If any businesses would like to sponsor Shachar, call 01626 203950.

A selection panel of 12 will review the 28,000 nominations and select the bearers.

The 2,012 most inspiring people that are selected will help make up 8,000 torchbearers needed in total for the Olympic Torch Relay.

The nominees will have around a one in 14 chance of being a torchbearer.

On average, 110 people a day will take centre stage next summer by carrying the Olympic flame on its 8,000 mile journey around the UK before it arrives in the stadium on July 27 for the lighting of the cauldron at the opening ceremony signifying the start of the games.