HOLLY Bradshaw is an Olympic medalist after winning bronze in the women’s pole vault at the Tokyo Olympics.

The Blackburn Harrier from Chorley got herself on the podium at the third attempt having previously finished sixth and fifth at previous Games, clearing 4.85m this time around.  

The British indoor and outdoor record holder went to Japan in superb form, ranked third in the world this year.

The 29-year-old finished behind the USA’s Katie Nageotte and the ROC’s Anzhelika Sidorova.

Bradshaw told the BBC: “This is what I’ve worked for my whole career.

“I don’t know what emotion I’m feeling: relief, pure enjoyment, excited, proud of myself for sticking with it. I knew I could get there one day.

“It was a tricky competition, it was a constant headwind. My experience kicked in, I kept my nerve, had a bit of a wobble at 4.70 but cleared it and it was just that experience that played out today.”

She added: “It’s still not really sunk in. I knew I could come in and deliver a medal-winning performance but I really felt like I was ranked fifth coming in.

“I knew I had to dig something out and I really feel like I did, I earned that medal and I’m really proud of myself and all of my team for just sticking with me.”