Stuart Weir wrote about Shara Proctor, the NR holder in GBR at a time when the British have a plethora of fine long jumpers. Stuart lets us know what makes Shara Proctor stand out in 2018, which has been a pretty impressive year for British long jumpers.
Shara Proctor, photo by PhotoRun.net
Shara Proctor
Shara Proctor was not sure how to reaction to second place in the women's long jump at the Brussels Diamond League. Three thoughts were battling for prominence.
1 She was delighted to have taken second place in such a prestigious event.
2 She was thankful that she was still fit and injury free after such a long season.
3 At the same time she was disappointed; she wanted to win.
At the end of the day three major competitions (Commonwealth Games, European Championships and Diamond League Final) and three podiums, represented a good year's work. In terms of consistency, Brussels was the 13th competition of the year where she had jumped 6.70m or better.
The season was complicated by having to be ready to compete at the Commonwealth Games in April. In qualification she jumped 6.89 but frustratingly could only manage 6.75 in the final. While that was enough for bronze, 6.89 would have won it. She was also third in the European Championships with 6.70. Her season's best was 6.91, achieved in London at the Anniversary Games. Her PR is 7.07 NR, Achieved in the 2015 World Championship final.
British women's long jump is very strong at the moment, with five jumps reaching the qualifying standard for the European Championships. There were three British girls in the DL final - Lorraine Ugen (who joined the 7 meter club earlier this year) and Jazmin Sawyers. However based on medals and consistency, Proctor is clearly GB Number 1 this year.
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