Having started climbing aged just seven, the former Kelvinside Academy pupil is now 10 years into her journey within the sport and is already at the speed climbing summit, breaking the UK record for a female speed climber at the European Championships earlier this year with a time of 8.64 seconds, almost a second faster than the previous best.
Hamilton actually began as a seven-year-old bouldering, the more systematic version of climbing before making the transition to speed climbing, which made its Olympic debut at Tokyo in 2021, just two years ago.
Currently working two jobs to help fund her training, as well as receiving £2,000 from the Gordon Brown memorial fund, the Renfrewshire teen will travel to Salt Lake City, Utah, to work with renowned coach Albert Ok, who trains Olympians Sam Watson and Piper Kelly, later this month for a three-month training camp.
Scots teen Hamilton has climbed to the top of her game and America training trip is the next step Whether you've been competing in sport for a year or your entire life, often the difference between the elite and the average is fearlessness and a will to win.
Despite being just 17 years old, Ava Hamilton has both in abundance.
