DESPITE competing at the 2018 Commonwealth Games at the tender age of 16, Bracknell Athletic Club's Molly Kingsbury is trying to do anything to keep her mind off what could be a momentous future for the teenager.

A sixth-place finish on the Gold Coast propelled the T37 long jumper into the conversation for a spot at the Paralympics in Tokyo next year and the youngster backed that showing up with another season of strong performances in the field.

But while she boasts a personal best of 4.02m – which would be enough to secure a spot in Japan – Kingsbury is keen to play down talk of qualification.

“I’m only 18 so I don’t want to put any pressure on myself. In my past experience, when I’ve put pressure on myself it’s not ended well,” she said.

“Some people can react to pressure in a good way, but with me it takes hold of me and I can’t perform as well as I want to.

“My goal is to PB and if anything major comes up that’s amazing, but anything else is an extra bonus.”

It’s an approach which seems to work well for the Bracknell-based athlete, who already ranks in the top three in her event in the UK, and has a bright future expected of her.

But for Kingsbury life isn’t just about competing on the highest stage, it’s about having the ability to be comfortable and express herself, which is exactly what sport was able to help her do.

“Being a para-athlete it was hard growing up to make friends and be me, so I went to an all-sports club and it made me want to go more and I got really excited by it,” said Kingsbury.

“I get inspired by all the Paralympians because they all have their challenges, they all have their obstacles and barriers, it really amazes me.

“I just take it month by month, I never thought I’d get selected for the Commonwealths and I did.

“It was the best experience of my life, meeting everyone and seeing how they compete, being out on the track in front of 38,000 people. I honestly didn’t stop smiling throughout the whole competition.”

Kingsbury was talking at a SportsAid event at the London Stadium, which was dedicated to championing the parents and guardians of talented young athletes and also attended by Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Cambridge, who has been a patron of the charity since 2013.

SportsAid helps the most promising young British athletes by providing them with financial support, recognition and personal development opportunities during the critical early stages of their careers.

And Kingsbury knows as much as anyone how much help and support they give, after receiving funding herself.

She said: “SportsAid have helped me so much, they’ve been a major help with me being able to travel to see my coach, being able to go to competitions and compete wherever I want to. I couldn’t have done it without them.”

SportsAid supports the most promising young British athletes by providing them with a financial award, recognition and personal development opportunities during the critical early stages of their careers. Please visit www.sportsaid.org.uk to find out how you can help the charity support the country’s next generation of sporting heroes!