A PAIR OF young figure skaters have overcome a string of broken bones and injuries to win gold for Great Britain at an international competition.

Emily Phillips and Jayin Panesar, both 14 and from Bracknell, took Europe by storm on the back of multiple setbacks to win gold in the advanced novice category in Graz, Austria.

The duo are currently top ranked in Great Britain for their category hope to one day qualify for the Olympic Games and the senior World Championships.

The pair are coached by Emily's parents, Lucine Chakmakjian and Dave Phillips, who believe the couple's dedication to the sport and to each other is what pushed them through a time that could have ended their dancing dreams.

Mrs Chakmakjian said: "For these two it is not just skating, it is skating with each other and growing and thriving as a pair while loving every second of what they do.

"A lot of people their age would have given up by now but their determination is extraordinary and they refused to give up and now it has finally started to pay off for them."

The couple suffered a horrendous off season where Emily broke a plate in her ankle and snapped her wrist leading to intense rehabilitation and a long stint away from the ice rink.

Jayin also experienced health issues and required months out of skating to repair a cracked knee and damaged cartilage while also faced an operation for a burst appendix.

Mrs Chakmakjian says seeing the pair succeed despite the difficulties they have faced has brought her incredible pride. 

"I always believed that they could win but I didn't tell them because I have to very careful of what pressures I put on them as a coach," she added.

"I stood back from the barrier and just watched them do their thing. I could not have asked for more from them and I am still so over the moon. 

"They needed the confidence to show themselves that they had it in them to do it."

The young couple are currently preparing for the British Championships which take place in Sheffield the first weekend of December.