Commonwealth champion coming to Malta

Lorraine Shaw, who won the gold medal in the hammer throw at the 2002 Commonwealth Games, will form part of the British team coming to Malta next month to take part in the EAA Winter Throwing Challenge.

So far, UK Athletics' Technical Director for Throws, John Trower, has named three athletes who will definitely make the trip to Malta with young Shirley Webb (hammer) and Goldie Sayers (javelin) joining Shaw in the list.

Webb, 22, was chosen after excelling during recent training sessions while Sayers is considered to be the rising star among British throwers.

Indeed, she has been touted as the athlete who will eventually take over Steve Backley's mantle as Britain's main hope for a medal in the javelin.

Yet, the female star of the British team should be Shaw.

She has broken the British record in her discipline an impressive 16 times, with her current best being of 68.93m. At next summer's Olympics, 33 year-old Shaw could be among the challengers for a medal.

Shaw is the first big name to confirm her presence in Malta in an event in which 26 countries taking part.

In fact, the competition will boast more than 150 athletes who will be joined by around 75 officials. These should include a number of star athletes from the Nordic countries that traditionally dominate these events.

Indeed, this could be the largest ever edition of the Winter Throwing Challenge as many countries are viewing it as the ideal preparation ahead of the Olympics.