Former Cobham Hall pupil wins Gold in Tokyo​

Former Cobham Hall pupil Kate French conquered the field with a dominant run in the final event of the modern pentathlon to earn a magnificent Tokyo Olympics Gold medal.

It was a sensational all-round performance that delivered the Gold medal for the Meopham born athlete, who set a personal best in the 200m freestyle swimming on her way to an Olympic-record points total of 1,385. French's versatility was summed up in the final event where her composure and accuracy in the four laser target shoots gave her the breathing space needed to leave her rivals in her wake on the running sections.

Kate came 5th in the Rio Olympics in 2016 and following her World Cup Final Gold earlier this year, has stylishly achieved the top spot in Tokyo.

Kate attended Cobham Hall for the whole of her secondary education, leaving with excellent A Levels and attending Bath University to read Sports Performance. 

"Kate has always shone brightly as an athlete and her determination and natural ability has enabled her to reach the highest levels in her chosen multidisciplinary sport," says Cobham Hall Headmistress, Mrs Wendy Barrett. "Kate was a natural leader whilst at Cobham Hall, voted by the students to the position of Deputy Guardian, and was clearly an outstanding athlete. To witness her swim in the pool was a privilege and, strangely enough, Kate’s school House, Clifton, always won the swimming gala! Kate continues to inspire Cobham students and we are always delighted to welcome her back."

Another former Cobham pupil, Lilly Gibbs, presently at Loughborough University studying Sports and Exercise Science and training as a member of the British Triathlon team, says, "I couldn’t be happier to see Kate at another Olympics. She is such an incredibly talented athlete, a role model and a genuinely lovely person. Whilst being a sports scholar at Cobham, Kate’s journey and accomplishments have shown me what is possible with hard work, determination and a dream. As a fellow multidisciplinary athlete, I can only appreciate how much time and dedication it takes to be at your best and competitive at every discipline in your sport. However, Kate makes it look easy; not only has she found the way to juggle training for five sports, but she has also managed to excel in each one and has proved she is the best in the world."