LINCOLN WELLINGTON athlete Joe Dunderdale has set his sights on international success after winning his first national title.

The 17-year-old Sleaford thrower recorded a colossal distance of 62.60m in the senior boys' javelin at the English Schools Championships at the weekend to clinch the gold medal.

The championships have been a source of future Olympians for Great Britain in the past, with previous winners including Paula Radcliffe and Phillips Idowu, and Dunderdale is now fully focused on his international athletic potential.

"I am fully focused on throwing for my country having won this title," said Dunderdale.

"I am likely to be invited to the prestigious Loughborough international event as well as some competitions on the continent, now that I am national champion.

"Although my biggest target for next season will be the European Athletics Junior Championships in July 2011.

"If I can throw over 69 metres by then I will be able to represent Great Britain at that competition in Estonia."

The Carre's Grammar School student won the event at Birmingham's Alexander Stadium by 1.63m against competitors a year older than himself.

But Dunderdale says tough weather conditions, an imposing international stadium and higher-ranked competitors motivated him even more.

"Conditions weren't good for throwing – there was a heavy wind which badly affected the flight of the javelin," he said. "So I was forced to change my technique, which I seemed able to do better than my rivals.

"I was very nervous in the warm-up area before the competition because I knew the others had thrown further than me (prior to Saturday).

"Once I was out and on to the in-field, though, I seemed to loosen up and felt more relaxed when I started throwing.

"The crowds were supporting the other throwers but that motivated me to throw even further."

The Lincolnshire athlete broke his leg in December 2009 and has taken a long road through recovery and rehabilitation to reach the top of the podium.

Dunderdale, who is ranked seventh in the country's under-20 age group javelin listings, says it has been tough coming back from injury.

"Last year I finished fourth at these championships (English Schools) and breaking my leg made it much harder to build on that encouraging performance," he said.

"The winter phase of training is so crucial and being out for two months didn't help my cause.

"But I was off my crutches by mid-February and back competing in April, so I have had time to regain some form."

Dunderdale has one more year at school in Sleaford, after which he hopes to enrol at Leeds Metropolitan University.

And he admits the years he spends in Leeds could determine his long-term success in the sport.

"I am on track with my studies at the moment and should attain the required standards at Leeds Metropolitan for entry in September 2011," he said.

"It is very important to me that I study there because I will have the chance to work with former international javelin thrower Mick Hill.

"If I can learn from him and improve my personal bests, then I think there's a real chance I could compete at the 2016 Olympics."