The final day of the Sainsbury’s British Championships saw a number of athletes confirm their places on the Great Britain & Northern Ireland Team for the forthcoming 2013 IAAF World Championships in Moscow.
The hottest weekend of 2013 will be remembered for some scintillating athletics action at the Alexander Stadium in Birmingham.
Anyika Onuora (coach: Rana Reider) is an athlete heading to the Russian capital in imperious form. The Liverpool Harrier was denied a winning personal best of 22.71 in the 200m due to a wind reading of +2.5m/s.
“I’d like to think I’m in the form of my life,” said the 2013 British 200m champion.
“I’m feeling really good and I just hope it all bodes well for Moscow. I’ve now got that opportunity now I’ve secured the actual ticket for the plane. Although it was an illegal wind, it wasn’t that much of a wind and it was a great race.”
Perri Shakes-Drayton (Chris Zah) displayed her world-class credentials with victory in the 400m hurdles posting a time of 54.36.
“I couldn’t really ask for more if I’m honest,” she said. “I just had to get past that line first, that’s all I wanted.”
Shara Proctor (Rana Reider) continued her excellent 2013 season to win the long jump with a leap of 6.84m.
There was drama in the 1500m with Lisa Dobriskey (self) and Laura Weightman (Steve Cram) both having their races ending early through injury. The latter was due to a collision with Charlene Thomas and a spike incident for Dobriskey. Hannah England (Bud Baldaro) won the race in 4:10.99.
Reflecting on the race England commented: “I’m pleased to have won, I am delighted to have booked myself on the plane to Moscow, but I am disappointed to have won in that way.
“I wanted to beat the others fair and square so I am disappointed I didn’t get to do that.”
Eilish McColgan (Liz McColgan) retained her British title in the 3000m steeplechase with a run of 9:56.03.
The day got off to a blistering start with Alex Wright (Raphael Rinaldi) breaking the British record to win the men’s 5000m walk in a time of 19:27.39.
“I was really happy coming over the line to a big cheer from the crowd,” said Wright. “It was my plan from the start to go for the national record, but the first one kilometre was a bit slow, but I think that actually helped for later on in the race.”
In the women’s 5000m walk Bethan Davies (Andi Drake) produced a personal best of 23:21.08 to win.
Christine Ohuruogu (Lloyd Cowan) ran a season’ best of 23.30, a B standard time, in the women’s 200m heats. The former Olympic champion did not contest in the final.
“The B standard for Moscow was pleasing, but really the main plan for today was just to do the one round because I’ve had quite a heavy week,” she explained.
“The main aim was to just use it as an introduction of speed for Moscow so I can sharpen up a little bit.”
49.76m was the winning distance in the women’s javelin from Rosie Semenytsh (self). Julian Reid (Aston Moore) leaped to 16.79m to secure the triple jump national title.
Steph Twell (Mick Woods) did her Moscow hopes no harm with victory in the 5000m in 15:55.01. The Aldershot, Farnham & District athlete is already in possession of the B standard.
“I’m super happy to win the senior trials for the first time. The time was ok but today was all about winning the race and I’m so happy to have been able to do that,” said Twell.
In the absence of British record holder Holly Bleasdale (Scott Simpson), Sally Peake (Scott Simpson) won gold with a vault of 4.23m.
There were national title for Shaunagh Brown (John Hillier) in the women’s hammer.
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