Steve Turnock, from Liverton, pushed through the pain barrier to win gold in the javelin at the British Universities & Colleges Sport Championships, in Bedford.

He produced a stunning display of throwing which saw him beat off two previous BUCS champions and going close to his personal best which he set in 2013.

Turnock took just one throw in the preliminary rounds to qualify for the ?nal, pushing out to 68.53m in perfect weather conditions.

The following day he encountered shoulder problems, and after a massage and taping it was touch and go if he would start the ?nal.

Now in cool cloudy conditions and a stiff right to left cross wind, last year’s winner and quali?er leader Greg Millar opened the competition with a 66m throw.

Turnock’s ?rst effort of 68.47 gave him a lead that he held throughout the competition, but Millar did not give up without a ?ght and he clawed back to within 5cm of Turnock’s best with a 68.42m in the ?nal round.

Matt Hunt, also a previous winner, took the bronze medal with 62.34.

Turnock, a former South Dartmoor Community College student, is currently studying for a master’s degree at Loughborough University where he is coached by David Parker.

His next major competition will be the Loughborough International on Sunday, an important competition opportunity for developing senior athletes as the build-up to the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Australia begins.