Canterbury’s Qi’-Chi Ukpai claims third national success in a year as personal best wins triple jump gold at National Indoor Championships in Sheffield

Canterbury schoolgirl Qi’-Chi Ukpai has landed her third national title in the past 12 months.

Ukpai, 14, won triple jump gold at the National Indoor Championships in Sheffield with a new personal best of 11.79m.

Victory cemented her place as No.1 in the under-17 UK rankings and pushed her further up the all-time list.

She moved straight on to the high jump, adding a silver medal with a leap of 1.68.

She also tops the high jump rankings, following her personal best of 1.73 achieved last month.

“We knew it was going to be a challenge attempting to do the triple jump and high jump double with the event timetable the way it was, but Qi’-Chi showed great resilience and composure to manage both brilliantly,” said dad Kalu.

“It was a brilliant effort all round, especially taking into account she is still 14-years-old and it’s her first year in the under-17s, and she had literally just finished picking up her triple jump gold medal.”

Ukpai is having a well-earned rest before preparing for the Kent Indoor Championships next month and then the outdoor season.

She is also planning to compete in her first heptathlon this year.