GAM Dumbutshena has paid tribute to coach Tony Jackson after his shock bronze medal in the inter boys’ long jump at the English Schools’ Championships.

The 16-year-old Ridgeway School student, from Walcot, only switched to the event a year ago when he linked up with Jackson at Swindon Harriers and has enjoyed a brilliant 12 months, culminating in his surprise medal in Gateshead over the weekend.

“That was just completely unexpected,” said Dumbutshena.

“I went to Gateshead hoping for a personal best and to win a medal is amazing.

“It just doesn’t feel real at all and even now, I can barely believe it. It is surreal.”

Dumbutshena soared to a personal best of 6.58 metres to secure his medal and until the sixth and final round of the competition, was lying in second place.

“I was a sprinter but that wasn’t going that well, so I joined Tony’s group and I remember asking him if he could get me to the English Schools’ Championships within a year,” Dumbutshena said.

“Tony is the one I must thank for getting me onto the podium and I couldn’t have done it without him.”

Dumbutshena’s bronze was one of four medals won by Wiltshire athletes, with silvers for Sheldon School’s Gemma Shepherd in the senior girls’ 1,500m and Melksham Oak’s Will Stockley in the inter 15,000m steeplechase.

There was also a bronze medal for Hayden Bailey of Matravers School after he finished third in the junior boys’ 800m.

Malmesbury School’s Zoe Wassell was sixth in the inter 3000m and Marlborough College student Nick Rusinov was seventh in the junior boys’ javelin.

Two other Swindon Harriers competed in the two-day event, with 16-year-old Abby Miles of the Lydiard Park Academy 17th in the inter long jump and 14-year-old Zoe-Ann Bishop of Wootton Bassett School 23rd in the junior hammer.

“We are very proud of our team and there was a fantastic spirit and camaraderie among them,” said Wiltshire team manager Tim Whiting.