A SCHOOLGIRL discus thrower not only beat the adults, but set a world record during a national competition.

Rivington High School pupil Sophie Hancock, aged 15, thrashed everyone in the adult section with a huge throw of 16.34 metres -- smashing the existing world record of 15.21 metres.

Sophie, who has achondroplasia, commonly known as "dwarf" syndrome, set the record in the women's adult discus section at the Disability for England Nationals in Birmingham.

The sporty teenager, of Stoneycroft Close, Horwich, trains with Horwich Harriers once a week and also does track work and weight training at the David Lloyd gym.

"I used to do quite a lot of swimming but then I got more into athletics," she said.

"In training I was throwing the discus at around 13.8 metres so it was a bit shock when I broke the world record with my first throw in the competition. It was a brilliant feeling."

Her dad, Mike, said: "Sophie trains really hard and she's done extremely well to do this in a senior event as she is only 15. I am very proud of her." Now Sophie's taste of success has made her determined to aim for the top.

"I want to take part in the paralympics one day. Maybe I'll break another record some time in the future but I'm happy with this for now," she said.