FREDDIE Curtis says he will use his IAAF World Junior Championships disappointment to make him a better javelin thrower.

The 19-year-old, from Hardwick, near Bicester, was unable to produce a legal throw in qualifying when competing for Great Britain at the championships in Eugene, Oregon, USA.

Curtis is already targeting next year’s European Under 23 Championships in Tallinn, Estonia.

“I really enjoyed my time in Eugene. I’ve learnt a lot from my first major championships,” he said.

“Obviously I’m disappointed with how I performed, though I would not change anything about my preparation leading up to the championship.

“During the competition I tensed up too much trying to throw a long way when I only needed to throw an average distance to make the final.

“This happens to some of the best athletes and I’m not going to be disheartened by the experience, but use it positively.”

Loughborough University student Curtis will now return to his training base in Finland to work on improvements with his coach Pettori Piironen.

Latest Sport news