There were 18 national champions crowned and eight athletes automatically qualified for the World Athletics Indoor Championships after two days of the UK Athletics Indoor Championships were celebrated in Birmingham.
With championship records set and another equalled, competitors really rose to the occasion, and nowhere was that more evident than on the sprint straight, with the men’s 60m proving to be a top-class affair, fans were treated to some high-quality competition at the Utilita Arena Birmingham, as athletes were able to secure their places at next month’s World Athletics Indoor Championships in the process.
World indoor 60m hurdles champion Andrew Pozzi claimed victory in the event, whilst Jenny Selman claimed the women's 800m title – with Elliot Giles winning the men's race - and Jessie Knight beat Keely Hodgkinson in the women's 400m.
After beating Olympic 800m silver medallist Hodgkinson into second place, Jessica said: "I can't wait to watch that race back.
“I am really over the moon with that result,” she said. “It was an incredible race. I have never done that finish before, but I really knew it was to be a close race after yesterday’s hard heats. We all had tired legs, so I thought it would be a blanket finish. Chris McAllister in my training group always does this and he told me ‘don’t forget to arm dip’ so I was ready!”
Winning the long jump with a Championship record, Lorraine Ugen said: “I needed to redeem myself from the Muller Grand Prix performance last week.
“I know that my runway was dodgy last weekend and this week I completed my jumps well. I'm off to Madrid for the final continental tour gold meet and then it's about getting a decent training block in before Serbia.”
Other track highlight featured Marc Scott winning in the 3000m final, Adelle Tracey won the women's 1500m final, Adam Thomas won the men's 60m, and the women's 60m was won by Cheyanne Evans Gray. Ben Higgins won the 400m title, Jenny Selman won in the 800m, Laura Zialor won gold in the High jump and Sophie McKinna won the women’s Shot put.
Rounding off a high quality two days of competitive athletics, Ella Rush won the Pentathlon title and said: “I worked so hard and I've been prepared well so I'm excited to see how the season goes.
“We're doing a warm weather training camp this year and I'm going to try and get the qualifying standard for the U20 worlds. I've had good scores consistently in my events so hopefully we can get those 30 extra points
“This is my first year of winter training and it's showing in my performances”.
