A TALENTED pair of West Fife siblings have proven to be the best in their field after reaching the top of the rankings in their sport.

Brothers Bruce and Murray Robb, who are members of Pitreavie AAC, are setting their sights on continuing to perform at the top level after reaching top spot in Scotland for discus and shot put in their respective age categories.

Their many achievements include Bruce, who will celebrate his 17th birthday on December 23, becoming Scottish champion in discus over the last four consecutive years, while younger brother Murray, 12, holds both the indoor and outdoor national record in shot put.

Following in the footsteps of their dad, Bruce, who competed on the Highland Games circuit and now coaches his sons, they have both enjoyed a hugely successful 2023.

Amongst under-17 competitor Bruce's achievements were shot put gold at the 4J Studios 130th scottishathletics Senior / Under-17 Championships and Scottish Schools Secondary Track and Field Championships, as well as in discus in the latter, whilst Queen Anne High School pupil Murray, who competed at the under-13 age group, took top spot in both discus and shot put at the 4J Studios scottishathletics under-20, under-15 and under-13 Championships, as well as at the indoor competition for shot put.

They have both enjoyed sparkling success since taking up the sport competitively less than five years ago, and are now set to take on the challenge of moving up age and weight categories.

Bruce, who won Scottish gold and silver for discus and shot put respectively in his first national competition in 2019, missed some indoor competition due to an elbow injury, but recovered to enjoy a fine 2023.

"I enjoyed doing it but, earlier on, it was like a love-hate relationship with the sport," he said of his introduction to shot put and discus.

"It's quite frustrating sometimes because you always go there expecting to throw far, but you just have to be patient. Sometimes, if you're not patient, it doesn't go to plan.

"Also, when I injured myself, I wasn't really enjoying the sport because it just hurt. I didn't really know what to do, I thought about giving up, but I managed to just stick through and go to the physio.

"Usually in the indoor season I'm not really that fond of it, because I like discus more than shot putt, and it's just shot putt in the winter, but usually I start liking it a lot when I get back during spring and start throwing discus."

Both brothers have pointed to the influence of their dad on their journey in the sport and Murray, in his very first competition at the age of 10, beat a record of Bruce senior.

"He has a lot of influence, definitely for the shot put for me, seeing him at such a young age throwing big distances," said Murray, who recovered from breaking the bones in his leg in 2021.

"At the start of the year, I started off on a really good high note with a Scottish indoor record, and then the Scottish champs (outdoor) came around. It was a wee bit mixed but, overall, it was really good.

"At the Scottish championships, in Aberdeen in August, I got a Scottish championship record in shot put."

When asked about what he hopes to achieve in the future, Murray said: "If I make it, I've got the youth Commonwealth Games.

"I think I would just be happy going to Commonwealth Games. I just want to do shot putt and maybe some Highland Games. I've always wanted to be a shot putter."

Bruce added: "Not next year, but in 2025, I also want to throw the standard for the European under-20s to get into that competition, which is 53m. I think I could do it if I really put in the work.

"I try to take it a year at a time. This year, I plan next year and what would happen, so I don't try think too far ahead.

"I'm not really sitting here thinking, when I'm 30, I'm going to be at the Olympics or anything. I'm just trying to think I'll train really hard so I can try and hit my qualifying for the Europeans and stuff like that."

The boys' proud mum Michele said: "To sit and watch them, and their progress, is amazing because you can see where they're throwing.

"They've done really well. I'm really proud. I love watching them throwing and I love seeing that progress.

"They're both really dedicated to the sport and their training."