by Stuart Weir
British women’s LJ has 18 competitors lined up, 1 July 2018, photo by Stuart Weir
The field events had some strong performances in Birmingham on Day 2. Lorraine Ugen’s world leader of 7.05 meters in the LJ, is just proof of the promise from the fine jumper. Holly Bradshaw won the PV. Hammer thrower Sophie Hitchon continued to show her promise.
In the field
The standard of jumping produced by the 18 competitors in the women’s long jump would have done justice to any event. Lorraine Ugen won with a championship record and PR of 7.05m. Jazmin Sawyers also produced a PR of 6.86m with her last jump, to grab second place and a guaranteed place in the European Championships. Shara Proctor who had led the competition with 6:81m and was second going into the final round, had to settle for third.
Ugen, winner of the Diamond League long jump in Stockholm last month, said: “It feels good to be British champion, get a Championship record and see so many people competing in the long jump. I think this is the biggest long jump field I have seen at this event and it was just nice to see everyone jumping well and getting season and personal bests. I definitely felt like I was in shape. I have been working on building more speed for the runway and I knew the more speed I can get the better I can jump. When I ran a PB yesterday [100m], I knew it gave me an opportunity to PB in the long jump as well”.
One negative was a tweet by Holly Bradshaw “WHY WASN’T THAT ANNOUNCED IN THE STADIUM! Where is the love for the field events! #joke”, which attracted support on social media. There is no doubt that a truly world class moment was probably missed by many of the spectators, whose attention was on the track.
7.05m! 🔥 @loralski WHY WASN’T THAT ANNOUNCED IN THE STADIUM! Where is the love for the field events! #joke
— Holly Bradshaw (@HollyBradshawPV) July 1, 2018
Other field event winners
Women’s discus: Jade Lally 56.81
Women’s javelin: Laura Whittingham 55.55m
Women’s hammer: Sophie Hitchon 72.02m (Championship record)
Women’s shot: Amelia Strickler 17:22m
Men’s pole vault Charlie Myers 5.55m
Men’s long jump Tim Duckworth 8.00m
Men’s high jump: Chris Baker 2.26m
Can’t remember a time I’ve not enjoyed competing in Birmingham 🇬🇧
Love it every year + can’t wait to be back on the 18th August for the Birmingham Diamond League 💎
THANKS BIRMINGHAM ðŸ™ðŸ»
📷 @andrew1903peat pic.twitter.com/Z1z4fqn388— Holly Bradshaw (@HollyBradshawPV) July 1, 2018
