Could This Truro Teen Be Cornwall’s Next Olympic Hope?

Fifteen year old Naomi Hawkins, from Truro, has returned from the European Biathle Triathle Laser Run Championships in Turkey with an impressive haul of four silver medals and a fourth place.

Strong Results in Her First Year as an Under 17

This is the first year Naomi has stepped up to the Under 17 category and she secured the highest ranked place of all GB competitors in both the individual laser run, which involves shooting and running, and the Triathle, which combines running, swimming and shooting.

Naomi has represented Team GB internationally for the last four years and is on the University of Bath’s Talent Performance Pathway. She is also one of Cornwall’s GLL Sport Foundation athletes, which gives her free access to any of GLL’s 240 leisure centres across the country.

Balancing Exams and Elite Sport

Currently in her GCSE year, Naomi has decided not to travel to South Africa for the world championships this December.

Her dad, Steven Hawkins, said: “Her mock exams are coming up, and schoolwork always comes first. She’s very self-motivated and wants to ensure she keeps on top of everything.

“Naomi has loved sport from a very young age and was swimming, running and cycling by the age of six. As she’s got older, she’s focused on her pentathlon events – fencing, obstacle course racing, swimming, laser pistol shooting and cross country running.

“As well as wanting to be selected for the GB team at the European and World Championships each year, her dream is to be part of Great Britain’s Olympic team.”

Support From GLL

GLL, which operates under the Better brand, runs nine leisure centres in Cornwall including Truro and Helston where Naomi regularly trains.

“Naomi is very grateful for the support GLL gives her,” said Steven. “She can go online and book a session in the pool whenever she needs to and it’s all free of charge.”

In 2025, 144 Cornwall based athletes across 23 sports received support from the GLL Sport Foundation worth £92,150. Of those athletes, 72 percent receive no other central funding, more than half are under 21, 27 percent are under 16 and 8 percent live with disabilities.

Applications for the 2026 GSF awards open on 20th December. More information is available at the GLL Sport Foundation website