Phillips Idowu is gunning for Jonathan Edwards' triple-jump world record and believes he might even break it before next month's Olympic Games.

Idowu took only three of his six attempts to win the Aviva National Championships title in Birmingham - then insisted he feels Edwards' historic mark of 18.29m is well within his sights.

The Olympic gold-medal contender had already produced three of the eight furthest jumps in the world before the meeting, where he soared to a huge 17.58metres.

That explosive opener improved the world leader he set in Chania, Crete, at the beginning of June by three metres and he followed that with further efforts of 17.57m and 17.27m.

With his eyes on the fast-approaching Aviva London Grand Prix at then the Beijing Games, Idowu called it a day as Larry Achike and Nathan Douglas both jumped 17.18m to take the minor placings with Olympic 'A' qualifiers.

Commonwealth champion Idowu said: "I feel comfortable being British and world number one."

Referring to his winning effort, he insisted: "I think I can put 80 centimetres to a metre on that.

"18.40m is what I consider being capable of if I get my run through right."

The extrovert 29-year-old east Londoner added: "I'm going to set Crystal Palace on fire."

It be a perfect send off for Idowu if he were to succeed Edwards as world record holder and better the huge leap which won the world championship title in Gothenburg 13 years ago.

"It doesn't matter if I do it before or do it there (Beijing) - I have it in my head to win there," added Idowu.

"I've got the benefit of knowing of what I have to do."

Another Beijing gold medal prospect, Kelly Sotherton, dismissed an injury scare after withdrawing from the long jump after three rounds.

Her best mark of 6.28m was still good enough for second place, and the heptathlete said: "I have had a slight problem with my quad muscle for a couple of weeks and I just need to be careful of that muscle.

"Pulling out early was just a precautionary measure and is nothing to worry about."

Sotherton, who was third in the high jump on Saturday and also contested the shot, then returned to produce her best effort for three years in her weakest event, the javelin, with a throw of 34.31m.

Jade Johnson won the long jump with a leap of 6.30m, but she was far from happy after failing to get near the personal best of 6.81m she set recently.

"I'm so annoyed, that was just a nightmare," said the former European and Commonwealth silver medallist.

"It was probably the worst competition I've done in my life.

"I am so ready to jump far. I tried to get that extra little bit so I've tried a few things in the last few weeks in training, but when it comes to competition, it's just not quite clicking and working for me."

Jo Pavey, an Olympic 10,000m medal contender, stepped down in distance to win a fourth national 5,000m crown in a time of 15 minutes 12.55 seconds ahead of Hayley Yelling and Laura Kenney.

"I'd really like to get a medal," said Pavey, who finished fourth in last summer's world 10,000m.

"I'm under no illusions it will be tough but I'll be trying my hardest."

Goldie Sayers, who could also pull off an Olympic podium finish, claimed the javelin title with an impressive final-round throw of 62.62m as she dominated the event ahead of Hayley Thomas, Rosie Sementysh and 11th-placed Sotherton.

Former world junior 400m bronze medallist Martyn Rooney, a potential Olympic finalist, was untroubled when winning ahead of Robert Tobin and Michael Bingham in a time of 45.31sec.

Rooney believes he must get himself into some tougher international races, admitting it will be the only way he can break the 45-second barrier for the first time.

He is hoping to get a lane in Friday's IAAF Golden League meeting in Paris.

He said: "For me to get better, I need to race against the best athletes in the world - and that means the top five in the world.

"But a win is a win and this is my first title so I can't complain."

Helen Clitheroe won the 3,000m steeplechase with a UK record of 9:36.98 ahead of Barbara Parker, who also earned her team place.

Former world junior champion Christian Malcolm sealed his Olympic place after winning the 200m in 20.52secs.

He will be joined in Beijing by Alex Nelson, who finished 0.09secs behind.

Defending champion Marlon Devonish was absent with a virus, meaning the Olympic 4x100m relay gold medallist will have to trust the selectors' judgment to choose him for the remaining position.

Inspired by being on home turf, Tom Parsons set a lifetime best high jump mark of 2.30m to clinch his place in the China-bound British team.

Emily Freeman held off world 400m champion Christine Ohuruogu to win the 200m by 0.07sec in 22.92, while Marilyn Okoro roared down the home straight to take the 800m ahead of Jemma Simpson in 1min 59.81.

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