11 July 2008

Latest start lists and results are available here

Mike Floyd (Sale Harriers Manchester) and Nadia Williams (Shaftesbury Barnet) were the first athletes of the weekend to claim national titles as the Aviva UK Championships & Olympic Trials got underway at Birmingham’s Alexander Stadium.

Men’s Hammer
Floyd produced a timely PB to win with a second round throw of 69.52m. In a consistent series, he had five valid throws with the worst being 66.92m. Amir Williamson (Newham & Essex) took silver with 68.24m and Alex Smith (Sale Harriers Manchester) claimed bronze with 67.21m.

Floyd said: “It is eight years since my last big throw so those two PBs today were a long time coming. I didn’t really care about the distance I just wanted to win. The weather hasn’t been the best for training, but I always seem to throw well in Birmingham.”

Women’s Triple Jump
Nadia Williams (Shaftesbury Barnet) defended her title, taking gold with a 5^th round effort of 13.35m (+2.9m/s). Silver went to Yasmine Regis (Windsor, Slough, Eton & Hounslow) with 13.13 (+3.1m/s) and bronze to Gillian Kerr (Edinburgh AC) with 13.03m (2.8m/s).

Williams said: “I am not impressed with the jumps although I’m obviously pleased  to retain my title. But I wanted more than last year. It’s been a slow start to my season so I was coming out to do a big jump today. The conditions haven’t helped but we’ve all jumped in the same chilly wind, so I can’t complain.”

Women’s 400m heats
 Former champion Lee McConnell (Shaftesbury Barnet) came through the heats as the fastest qualifier with 53.43. Another talking point was the withdrawal of World silver medallist Nicola Sanders (Windsor, Slough, Eton & Hounslow).

Sanders said :”I felt a slight strain in my left quad which worsened as I was warming up. It’s nothing serious but I have withdrawn as a precaution. I will be back for the Aviva London Grand Prix in two weeks time.”

Men’s 100m heats
Dwain Chambers (Belgrave Harriers) qualified fastest from the heats in 10.14 (NW). 2006 and 2007 winner Marlon Devonish (Coventry Godiva) also cruised through, winning his heat in 10.38 (+2.6m/s).

Women’s 100m heats
Montell Douglas (Blackheath & Bromley) stormed through as fastest qualifier in 11.34 (+4.6m/s). Last year’s winner Jeanette Kwayke (Woodford Green & Essex Ladies) was runner-up to Douglas in the first heat to also book her place in Saturday’s semi-finals in 11.69.

Men’s 400m heats
Defending champion Andrew Steele (Trafford AC) was the fastest qualifier in 47.37. Though many of the main protagonists were clearly keeping their powder dry for Saturday’s semi-finals, amongst them being European Cup winner Martyn Rooney (Croydon Harriers) who eased to victory in his heat in 48.34.

Women’s 400m hurdles
19 year old Perri Shakes Drayton (Victoria Park AAC) qualified fastest, winning her heat in 58.47. Olympic and World finalist Tasha Danvers (Shaftesbury Barnet) cruised through, winning her heat in 59.14.

Men’s 800m heats

Michael Riimmer (Liverpool Pembroke  Sefton); Richard Hill (Notts AC) and Andy Baddeley (Harrow) were the in form GB trio progressing to the final of the men’s 800m – Rimmer’s 1.49.21 the best of the four heats in Fridays damp conditions.

Women’s 1500m heats
The top 3 in the 2008 Power of 10 rankings all safely progressed to what will be an intriguing Sunday final. Hannah England (Oxford), Lisa Dobiskey (Ashford) and Susan Scott (Glasgow) have all obtained the Olympic A standard this year.