A figure skater who trains for up to five hours a day has achieved outstanding A level results.
Bilborough Sixth Form College student Olivia Joseph scored an A in Maths, A in Chemistry and B in Biology, and now plans to study nutrition and dietetics at the University of Nottingham.
The 18-year-old wanted to stay close to home so she can continue her gruelling training schedule, which while she was at college meant getting up at 5am to go to the ice rink and then returning at the end of the day after classes.
“I am so happy with my results as it means I can continue to pursue my figure skating and do my studies at the same time,” said Olivia, who trains at the National Ice Arena in Nottingham and twice a week travels to Sheffield to train. “I am really pleased. I didn’t think I was going to do this well in Maths. It’s great.”
Olivia, who also works as a part-time waitress, has competed in national competitions and has won one gold and three bronzes.
“It has been hard work trying to fit in all the training and my college work at the same time. I am quite academic so I want to keep up with my studies but it would be great to continue to figure skate and enter more competitions.”
Despite only starting figure skating four and a half years ago, Olivia is already at NISA Level 3. The highest a figure skater can reach is NISA Level 10. As well as training on the ice, Olivia has to do ballet, pilates and conditioning exercises.
Olivia, of West Bridgford, said: “I came to figure skating quite late but I am doing well and I would love to see how far I can go. I hope that I may get some support when I go to university too.”