WEST Belfast schoolgirl Nina McBride underlined her status as one of the brightest young talents in Irish sport when the St Gall’s teenager returned from the World Wallball Championships in New York with two world titles.
Representing Team Ireland in the Girls 15 and Under grade, the St Gall's and Antrim handballer completed a superb week by winning both the Big Ball and Small Ball Singles championships.
Nina McBride in action over in the states
The St Dominic's student competed fantastically with some of the world's best and clinched a double gold finish to the competition in New York last week.
McBride came through an international field in the Big Ball competition, defeating Ci Oi Nam of Hong Kong and Brooklyn’s Alice Kalenchuk before meeting fellow Irish player Alanna Staunton of Westmeath in the final.
There, McBride produced an assured display to win 15-10, 15-5 and secure her first world title of the week.
She quickly doubled her haul in the Small Ball Singles, where she defeated New York’s Sara Shi to make it two gold medals from two singles competitions.
Nina also teamed up with Caislin Tracey from Greencastle, Co Tyrone, in the Girls U19 Doubles, where the Ulster combination finished third.
That competition was won by an outstanding international pairing in Belgian sensation Eloise Clement and Galway’s Ella Sweeney. Clement enjoyed an exceptional championship campaign, also capturing both the 17 and Under and 19 and Under Singles crown.
For McBride, the achievements are all the more impressive given that handball is just one of three sports in which she operates at a high level.
A genuine all-rounder, she also plays Gaelic football for Antrim and has represented Ireland in basketball.
