by Stuart Weir
Jazmin Sawyers, photo by Getty Images / British Athletics
Paavo Nurmi Games, photo by Stuart Weir by TV
This is Stuart Weir’s piece on today’s Paavo Nurmi Games, held in Turku, Finland
Wins for Pozzi, Sawyers and Courtney-Bryant in Finland
There were 15 British athletes in the Paavo Nurmi Games in Turku Finland on Tuesday this week (11 August). Jazmin Sawyers won the women’s long jump with leaps of 6.54 and 6.53 to defeat Abi Irozuru (6.52).
Abi Irozuru, photo via TV by Stuart Weir
Abi Irozuru commented: “Two of my jumps in the series felt good so I know if I can start from this point in my next meet, I can jump further. Slightly disappointed to be beaten to be honest, but we’ll pick myself up and work to be better next time.”
Jazmin Sawyers, photo via TV by Stuart Weir
The organizers had clearly received the memo and made sure that the long jump (and the men’s javelin) were finished before the TV coverage started!
Since you asked Johannes Vetter won with 91.49 from fellow-German Andreas Hofmann.
Melissa Courtney-Bryant, photo by Getty Images / British Athletics
The performance of the night was Melissa Courtney-Bryant winning the 1500m in 4:03.69 (just outside her PR) in her first outdoor race of the season. She ran away from the field to win by 5 seconds from Elise Vanderelst (Belgium). Rosie Clarke (normally a steeplechaser) was fifth in 4:11.25 with another Brit, Erin Wallace sixth in 4:16.75
Another excellent win was achieved by Andy Pozzi in the 110m hurdles – his sixth win this season. The winning time was 13.17 with Wilhem Belocian (France) second in 13.38 with David King (GB) third in 13.57.
The women’s sprint hurdles were won by Nadine Visser from Netherlands (12.68 – a world lead).
The 100m was won by Lamont Marcell Jacobs (Italy) in 10.11 with CJ Ujah second in 10.17. Richard Kilty ran 10.59 in the prelim but did not made the final.
Nikoléta Kiriakopoúlou won the women’s pole vault from Holy Bradshaw on countback with both clearing 4.63.
Chris McAlister was fourth in the 400m hurdles in 50.71 with Nick Smidt (Netherlands) winning in 49.84.
Topi Raitanen (Finland) won the 3000SC in 8:22.45. Of the three British runners in the event Phil Norman ran a PR (8:23.60) for second place, with Zak Seddon sixth in 8:36.72 and Jonathan Hopkins 8.42.28
Sara Kuivisto (Finland won the women’s 800m in 2:03.13 from Nadia Power (Ireland) who clocked an identical time in the race in which 8 of 10 starters were Finns.
The Women’s triple jump was won by Kristiina Mäkelä (Finland) with 14.12 with GB’s Naomi Ogbeta fourth in 13.74. Dovile Kilty (mmrs Richard Kilty) was third with 13.79
Heta Tuuri (Finland) won the high jump in 1.85 and Daniel StÃ¥hl won the men’s discus in 70.20
