A TRIATHLETE from Llangollen has bounced back from a spinal chord injury to represent Great Britain at the European Championships.

Hannah Davies, 25, donned the blue jersey for the Great Britain Age Group Triathlon Team in Glasgow on Saturday, August 11, finishing 22nd out of 77 athletes from around the world.

Ms Davies, who had been an active sports player in the town and for Liverpool FC youth teams, had suffered a broken knee cap playing football in 2013, aged 19, followed by a broken spine the year after.

The latter occurred whilst Ms Davies was in the French alps on a ski season and decided to take time out to recover after surgery, in which a metal rod was inserted to support her spine. Ms Davies would not fully return to physical activity for another two years, when she would somewhat haphazardly find her way into triathlon events.

But she had little to say about her injuries other than that they sure did happen, as her mindset is firmly goal-oriented and focussed on the future.

Ms Davies said: “I’m really surprised I was able to compete so soon after injury, I was not expecting it to happen this year.

“Competing has made me more determined to do better next year.

“I want to enter the standard distance and then move on to the half ironman, which will be a much higher level again.”

Soon after returning from travelling in Australia in 2017, Ms Davies was introduced to road cycling by a close friend which, combined with her active adolescence and childhood swimming for Chirk Dragons Swimming Club, provided a segway into the novel sport.

Ms Davies worked full-time at the Corn Mill in Llangollen, self-funding her performance and trained during the evenings and weekends on the roads winding around Llangollen, as well as nearby lakes.

Even after a significant amount of time in losing fitness whilst abroad, Ms Davies had not lost her keenness to get back on track.

She said: “Soon after I returned and started road cycling I applied to compete in the ETU Sprint Distance Triathlon Qualifier in Nottingham to get a benchmark ahead of winter training, but I managed to set a time that qualified for the Great Britain team."

Ms Davies hasn't looked back in her recent sky-rocket to fame. “I like the adrenaline of all three disciplines, it is all thrills," she said.

“Triathlons are a great way to keep fit, they’re exciting but it’s not easy.”

Daniel Davies, Hannah’s brother, said: “As a family we’re so proud. We hope this is the beginning of a successful career for Hannah.

“Hannah wants anyone to get out and involved in sports, and she’s proved it’s never too late.”

A spokesperson for the Great Britain Age Group Team said: “The Glasgow 2018 European Championships was a fantastic celebration of sport, and triathlon was unique in also offering the opportunity for amateur athletes to take part alongside professional athletes through selection for the Great Britain Age Group Team.

“Hannah Davies was one of 615 British triathletes who represented Great Britain in age group categories from 18 to over 80.

“Each athlete had to qualify their place in the team and it was a highly competitive process, so Hannah should be proud of her contribution to the overall success of the team, which won a total of 67 medals.”

To follow Hannah Davies on her journey visit her Instagram @hannahdaviesadventure