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Jess Learmonth surprised by her success

Team England's first medallist of the Commonwealth Games Jess Learmonth tells Sports Mole that she has been surprised by her rapid ascent in triathlon.

Team England's Jess Learmonth has admitted that she is surprised by her meteoric rise after picking up a silver medal in the women's triathlon at the Commonwealth Games this morning.

The 29-year-old enjoyed a breakthrough year in 2017 and continued that form into this year with a second-place finish in the season-opening event in Abu Dhabi last month.

Learmonth was neck and neck with heavy favourite Flora Duffy heading into the 5km run - the final discipline of the triathlon - but fell away and was ultimately forced to hold on for the silver medal under pressure from Canada's Joanna Brown.

"[I'm] delighted. I've got to admit I'm glad that it's over now, after that last lap on the run, so I tried to enjoy it as much as I could coming into the finish, but with Jo behind me it wasn't that enjoyable! But I can try to relive it now I think, now it's finished," she told Sports Mole.

When asked whether she had surprised herself over the past two years, she added: "Yeah, definitely. I thought I could do it, but it's come quite quick really and I think it's helped by having people like Flora in the race, it just helps my self-strengths. I think without her it would be quite different but I feel quite lucky, really."

Learmonth could have a chance at a second Commonwealth medal if she is selected as part of England's mixed relay team on Saturday.

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Barney Corkhill
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