Friday 24 March 2017 12:41, UK
As far as winning medals and making the headlines is concerned, it's been a dazzling few days for the Sky Academy Sports Scholars.
No sooner had Paralympian Olivia Breen stepped off the plane from Doha as the newly-crowned world relay sprint champion, three other Scholars were grabbing the limelight on very different stages.
First there was Savannah Marshall who boxed her way to gold in Germany, defeating local favourite Sarah Scheurich on a unanimous points decision in the U-75kg final.
The 24-year-old from Hartlepool, who is getting ready for the crucial World Championships in Kazakhstan in three months, said: "It felt really good to win the gold out in the Queens Cup.
"I had won the tournament last year so retaining my title felt great. I boxed three times against three good girls so I was happy with the end result."
Speed skater Elise Christie has had a rough two months after suffering an ankle injury in pre-season training and crashing out twice in the season-opening World Cup in Montreal last week.
But the 25-year-old Scot roared back in Toronto at the weekend with a stunning gold in the 500m and silver in her specialist event - the 1000m - at the World Cup in Canada.
Christie, controversially disqualified three times at the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics and won two silvers at last season's World Championships, said: "I'm mainly feeling shocked. It's only been eight weeks since my injury.
"I didn't even think I'd be competing at this competition! I was so shocked I didn't even celebrate as I crossed the line in the 500. I'd of course like to thank everyone who has helped me get back in time to race and Sky for continuing to believe in me."
With a cracking week for female Scholars continuing with the Sky Academy TV doc on Holly Bradshaw on Sky Sports 3 on Thursday at 11.15am, it was perfect timing for swimmer Siobhan-Marie O'Connor to grace the stage at the Sportswoman of the Year awards last week.
The 19-year-old from Bath made the shortlist of four for Young Sportswoman of the Year, and although she was finally pipped to the gong by sprinter Dina Asher-Smith, O'Connor can be very proud of a brilliant year in the pool.
O'Connor, who won bronze in the 200m individual medley and relay gold in the Kazan World Championships in August, said: "I had a great time at the SWOTY awards with my mum and dad. It was such an honour to be nominated among some really talented young women.
"To be among so many inspiring athletes and women who do such amazing things in sport was amazing. It was a great evening and such a brilliant event."
WHAT'S COMING UP FOR OUR SCHOLARS
NOVEMBER 23: Elise Christie, World Cup, Nagoya
NOVEMBER 28: Jess Judd, European Cross Country Champs trials
NOVEMBER: Sam Oldham, Tokyo training camp
25 NOV-DEC 21: Holly Bradshaw, South Africa training camp
