Eurosport - Sun, 12 Jul 20:44:00 2009
Olympic hopeful Marilyn Okoro got her tactics all wrong again as Jemma Simpson produced a storming performance to win the 800m title at the UK Athletics Championships.
Okoro is an athlete of undoubted potential but it's not the first time she's blundered with her game plan.
She went off too fast at the European Indoor Championships in Turin earlier this year, a race she was predicted to win, and spectacularly paid the price.
This time around she allowed herself to be caught out by the fast-finishing Simpson, who produced a blistering performance to win by a clear margin in 2.01.16.
Jenny Meadows, still seeking an elusive first national outdoor title, took second and a disconsolate Okoro trailed home in third.
"I wasn't sure how the race would go and I had to think on my feet and run tactically," said Simpson.
"I just went for it from 400m, it's not normal for me but it seemed to work.
"I've really focused on my endurance training this year and it seems to be paying off. I'm much fitter and stronger than ever before."
Toby Sandeman produced a shock victory in the men's 200m as Jeffrey Lawal-Balogu, the top ranked British athlete over the distance, faded to fourth.
Sandeman, who will be part of Great Britain's European under-23 Championship squad, timed his run to perfection to edge out Marlon Devonish on the finish line in 23.70 seconds.
"Last year I got injured in the first round here and I vowed to come back and win it," he said.
"I'd saved money from work so I decided to take a year out and focus on my athletics. I kept the dream alive and the ambition in my heart.
"I never stopped believing that it was possible, even when others doubted me. It has all paid off."
Emily Freeman defended her 200m title with an impressive victory.
The Wakefield athlete got off to a flying start and continued to increase her advantage in a dominant display, crossing the line in 22.92 secs, five metres ahead of nearest rival Joey Duck.
"This is just part of a process towards Berlin," said Freeman.
"Last year I peaked too early in the season and by the time it mattered, my times were not as good.
"This year I've adjusted my training and it seems to be working."
Goldie Sayers won the women's javelin title for the seventh consecutive year, despite coming off a shortened run-up.
Sayers, fourth in last year's Olympic final, was set to miss the championships after being diagnosed with a partial stress fracture of her lower back only a month-and-a-half ago.
But she insisted her comeback was going according to plan, after a best of 55.43 metres.
"It's gone as best as it could have done so far. I have been able to throw and the couple of throwing sessions I have done have been pleasing. They have been off seven strides," she said.
"I'm aiming to do the Aviva Grand Prix at Crystal Palace off a full run-up for the first time."
Elsewhere, British record holder Chris Tomlinson won another national long jump title with a best effort of 8.03m.
But training partner and closest domestic rival, European silver medallist Greg Rutherford, withdrew after a scan revealed a minor hamstring tear.
Please login to post a comment
Not already a Yahoo! user ? Sign up to get a free Yahoo! Account