Endacott looking to World trials after Birmingham Games double

By Matt Wright, Sportsbeat

KATHERINE Endacott insists her fledgling partnership with former Olympic champion Linford Christie is already paying dividends after completing a golden double at the Birmingham Games in the NIA on Sunday.

Having romped to victory in the 60m on Saturday, the 30-year old doubled up on Sunday, outsprinting Lucy Sargent and Jennie Batten to add the 200m title to her collection.

And having clocked the second fastest British time of the season of 23.85 seconds to take 200m gold, Endacott announced herself as a genuine contender to return to the international scene with the British team at March's World Indoor Championships in Doha.

Also, with the Aviva World Indoor Trials in Sheffield just six days away, the City of Plymouth athlete is adamant her new coaching set-up has made the vital difference in 2010.

"Since I've been with Linford, everything in my training has changed," said Endacott, who teamed up with Christie in October 2009.

"He's helped to make me a lot stronger and I'm training a lot harder in my track sessions.

"The weekend couldn't have gone any better though I'm really surprised with the way I won the 200m.

"I did three good runs in the 60m yesterday and by doing the same again today my confidence is just going through the roof. I know I'm in good shape now.

"I'm running both 60m and 200m in Sheffield and now I've got a week to work on both so watch this space."

Scottish sprinter Craig Fleming took advantage of the withdrawal of the top two qualifiers Leon Baptiste and Tim Abeyie to win the men's 200m on Sunday.

British number one Baptiste set the quickest semi-final time of 21.02 secs but his withdrawal left the door open for 22-year old Fleming.

And the Belgrave Harrier admits he's aiming to use the victory as a ticket to bigger things in 2010.

"I feel I could have run a bit faster but I've got to be pleased with how the weekend's gone," said Fleming.

"It would be great to get invited to some of the big events coming up this year. This weekend has definitely helped - it's given me a lot of confidence."