24 August 2015

Greg Rutherford (coach: Jonas Tawiah-Dodoo), Christine Ohuruogu (Christine Bowmaker), Anyika Onuora (Rana Reider) and Holly Bradshaw (Scott Simpson) all secured their places in the next round of their respective competitions on the third day of the IAAF World Championships in Beijing, China. 

Needing 8.15m to secure automatic qualification to the final, Olympic, Commonwealth and European champion Greg Rutherford booked his place with ease jumping out to 8.25m in the second round after a first round failure. Teammate Dan Bramble (Frank Attoh) could only manage 7.83m in the competition, which saw a number of other notable casualties including USA’s Marquis Dendy, who has jumped 8.39m this year.  

Rutherford said afterwards: “You can only jump against whoever is there. For me as we found in the Olympic final there were certain names that didn’t make it and I walked away with the gold medal. That’s the way it is in track and field – you’re not always going to get the guys that have been doing it all year, I’ve just got to do what I do. Forget (Marquis) Dendy (failed to qualify) at the moment, Jeff Henderson opened with a fantastic first round (8.36m) so it’s going to be a very exciting final.

“I’m in a good place – I thought I upset a few people fouling in the first one to follow suit what I did in London a few weeks back just to get people talking. We’ll see what happens tomorrow.”

Reigning 400m world champion Ohuruogu got her title defence underway in style winning heat two in 51.01, while Onuora continued to show her 400m promise setting a new personal best of 51.14 in heat five to finish fourth and secure one of the fastest qualifier spots.  

Bradshaw’s (Scott Simpson) return to the international fold was equally impressive with a flawless performance in the pole vault qualification in the Bird’s Nest. The British record holder had three successful first time clearances at 4.30m, 4.40m and season’s best of 4.55m to automatically qualify to Wednesday’s final.

The 23 year old, who was only making her fourth appearance of the season said: “It was so amazing to be back out there just competing. It was great – I came in expecting to qualify for the final, but the way I qualified was amazing.

“I surprised myself after the long two years I’ve had. I’m not sure where the confidence is coming from – in the past few weeks I’ve had some great training sessions.

“I’m confident that I am fit, healthy and jumping well, so you never know what can happen in the final.”

British Athletics medals at the IAAF World Championships, Beijing, China

Gold

Mo Farah (10,000m)

Jessica Ennis-Hill (Heptathlon)