11 February 2012

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http://www.uka.org.uk/results/20120211_Sheffield/timetable/index/index.html

On day one of the Aviva Indoor UK Trials and Championships at the English Institute of Sport (EIS) in Sheffield, the highlight was the usual crowd pleasing turn from local hero Jessica Ennis (coached by: Toni Minichiello) who opened her busy weekend schedule with a high jump victory and a solid shot put performance.

Ennis, who will also line up on Sunday in the women’s 60m hurdles and the long jump, began her weekend taking the day’s first medal in the women’s high jump final. However the World Heptathlon silver medallist was made to work hard for her victory ahead of second placed Emma Perkins (Fuzz Ahmed), who jumped a lifetime best mark of 1.89m to push the British record holder close.

It was the perfect spur for Ennis, who despite some earlier failures at lower heights, then went on and cleared her winning height of 1.91m at the first attempt.

“I’m really pleased,” she said. “It’s my second competition of the indoor season so it’s nice to start off jumping in the 90s because that’s what I need to do in the pentathlon or heptathlon so it’s promising for the rest of the year.”

Continuing on to the shot, she put a best of 14.09m in the second round to finish in sixth position overall – the UK title going to Eden Francis (Glenys Morton) with 16.72m for the win.

On track, Margaret Adeoye (Linford Christie) continued the form that saw her win on her Aviva GB & NI debut in Glasgow last month with consecutive PBs in winning her heat and then the final of the women’s 200m.

Adeoye, who crossed the line in 23.37, was a comfortable winner ahead of Trafford’s Louise Bloor (Minichiello) – also in PB form and was stunned by her recent development as a sprinter:

“It feels really good to be national champion and I’m really happy with the time,” she said.

“I can’t take all the credit, my coaches have been amazing. They’ve just made me mentally believe in myself and given me great confidence; I just came here and ran!”

The men’s 200m was won by Sven Knipphals in 21.36, the crowd denied the chance to see Conrad Williams (Linford Christie) and Danny Talbot (Dan Cossins) compete for the title with Williams disqualified for a false start, and Talbot withdrawing with injury prior to the final.

Andy Sutcliffe (Julien Raffali) set a personal best in taking his first national senior pole vault title, beating Steve Lewis (Dan Pfaff) in the process. Sutcliffe, who cleared a best height of 5.55m ahead of Lewis’ 5.45m had a nervous wait as Lewis put in a couple of solid attempts at 5.62m, but just failed to clear the superior height.

“I’m really chuffed because I wasn’t expecting to get so high and especially to beat Steve here – it’s just great,” said Sutcliffe.

“I’ve always been good at championships so I always try and get myself ready for them. It’s good to get the experience of winning – this is my first major senior title.”

The men’s triple jump saw victory for Kola Adedoyin (Frank Attoh) whose 15.93m was enough to take the national title and mark a lifetime best for the young Newham & Essex athlete. Also on the infield, Scott Rider took the men’s shot put title with a season’s best putt of 18.28m.

Yamile Aldama (Attoh) took the women’s indoor triple jump title with a third round leap of 14.09m, but was only just satisfied with her day’s work:

“I’m happy because a win is a win. I just need to work on my speed and try to move better through the jump. It was a good competition but you always want more and I’m really waiting on that big one,” she said.

In the day’s last track final, Jonny Mellor (David Evans) held off Stephen Davies (Chris Moss) across the line to take the national 3000m title in a personal best 7:58.36 – nine out of the 12 finishers all taking personal bests away from Sheffield.

Mellor said: “I’m very pleased with my performance; it was really good to get the win. I’m progressing from last year and I’ve been really consistent during the winter, so that’s a big positive for me.”

In qualifying action for Sunday’s finals, James Brewer (Craig Winrow) and Kris Gauson (self coached) won their respective 1500m semi-finals. In the 800m heats ahead of Sunday’s finals, Marilyn Okoro (Ayo Falola) looked to be the class act in the women’s event ,whilst the men’s final will prove an interesting battle between Joe Thomas (Arwyn Davies), Guy Learmonth and Ed Aston (self coached).

The 400m semi finals saw Nadine Okyere (Joe Caines) and Shana Cox (Lloyd Cowan) the victors of their respective semi finals, whilst in the men’s semis Rob Tobin (Dan Pfaff) and Richard Buck (Steve Fudge) led the placings with a relaxed looking Michael Bingham (Kevin Tyler) set also to make an impact on Sunday’s line-up.

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For full results visit: http://www.uka.org.uk/results/20120211_Sheffield/timetable/index/index.html

Sunday’s action at the EIS starts at 10.50am with the women’s 60m heats.