Young farmer selected for Team GB U18 hammer throw

Young farmer Louis Tutcher has achieved an extraordinary feat, qualifying for the Team GB European Championships U18 squad for the hammer throw, after gaining a new personal best and securing the qualifying distance.

The 17-year-old has a busy schedule, which includes working on his family’s beef farm – Gilberts Farm in Wiltshire – alongside studying agriculture at Hartpury College. 

His training takes place at his local Yate District Athletics Club, as well as his own training circle on the farm.

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“For him to have accomplished this is amazing, we are very proud of him,”  Louis’ mum Delia Tutcher tells Farmers Weekly. 

“Through the years, Louis has juggled everything – at one point playing tennis around Europe to a high level, and playing in the Gloucester Rugby Academy.

“He fell in love with hammer throwing and is still juggling it all with school and farming, working alongside his father here on our beef farm,” she explains.

Louis is currently away competing in the hammer throw in Slovakia for Team GB at the under 18s European Championship, but Delia explains that Louis had a small window to get the qualifying distance of 69m on a 5kg hammer, while travelling up and down the country to gain the distance.

In the end, Louis achieved his qualifying score on his home ground, securing an amazing 69.65m – a new personal best which gave him the necessary distance for Team GB. 

“The local farming community follow and love to hear about his achievement, for a young person who has worked hard, had knockbacks, and has always got up fighting,” says Delia.

Good luck to Louis in the European Championships!