24 June 2011

A superb weekend of action is promised for Bedford this weekend (25/26 June) as junior athletes compete for spaces on the Aviva GB & NI team for the European U20 Championships in Tallinn, Estonia 21-24 July.

With weather conditions across the two days set to take in all seasons, those still need to secure qualification standards have an added hurdle, as well as the need to take away the England U20 title.

In the men’s 100m there is a fascinating clash on offer as 2010 Youth Olympic Games bronze medallist David Bolarinwa (Coach: John Powell) meets Adam Gemili (John Blackie) for the first time in 2011. Bolarinwa, with a superb 10.29 already under his wing at the same venue last month will look to further underline his European medal credentials, whilst Gemili, also already qualified for Tallinn with 10.45 also has a 10.29 timing this season, albeit slightly wind assisted.

The women’s titles should be more straight forward with European Indoor fourth placer Jodie Williams (Mike McFarlane) the only qualifier so far over both 100 and 200m – 11.35 and 23.81 so far, although Bianca Williams (Lloyd Cowan) is close to qualification in both events, needing just a few hundredths of a second improvement on her current bests to meet the standard.

Also Annie Tagoe (Connie Henry) will be looking to use Bedford as a springboard to faster times. Her 11.61 well within the 100m qualification standard, and although her best so far this season is only 12.01, it comes off the back of a strong indoor season over 60m

Another key battle on the weekend will come by way of the men’s 110m hurdles. Andrew Pozzi (Paul Bearman) makes a welcome return to the age group championships following a year of injury frustration. His form so far this season has seen him take top spot in the McCain Power of 10 rankings with 13.61.

However Jack Meredith (Don Moss) is close behind with 13.69, and the 2010 World Junior bronze medallist will want to secure his selection, in order to improve on his last European junior championship showing where he finished sixth in the final.

On the field, one of the highlights will be the strong line up in the women’s javelin final with four athletes already having secured the UKA qualification standard of 48.50m. Topping the rankings so far is last year’s bronze medallist Freya Jones (William Bushnell) with 52.82m and Izzy Jeffs (Simon de Wilton) on 52.55m.

On head to heads the two athletes are on two wins a piece although Kiki Oniwinde (Sam Harrison) and Sarah Roberts (Gregg Markham) will be hoping to spoil the party, both exhibiting PB form this season.

Another event with a number of qualifiers will be the mens’ 1500m. With three out of the top four spots in European rankings belonging to GB athletes, the usual tantalising race is expected. Top of the pile so far for 2011 sits Adam Cotton (John Nuttall) – who also holds an 800m standard and will run the shorter distance at the trial – his impressive 3:41.33 was set in Watford earlier this month and is currently placed at number one on European standings.

He is closely followed by Jonny Hay (Mick Woods) who is likely to be targeting 5000m selection, leaving Charlie Grice (Jon Bigg) and anyone from Harvey Dixon, Tom Curr, Richard Goodman and Marcus Bridger Wilkinson to compete for the top spots.

Daily reports from the Aviva England Under-20 and Under-23 Championships will be posted on the UKA website over the weekend.

For selection standards please visit the World Class Performance section

For timetables and information relating to the weekend please visit the England Athletics website here