Hazel is happy in the shadow of medal hope Ennis

From Tom Reynolds, Sportsbeat, in Monte Gordo

 LOUISE Hazel may have already achieved her season's objective by earning selection for next week's World Athletics Championships but now the Birchfield Harrier is eyeing a lifetime's best performance in Berlin.

LEARNING PROCESS: Jess Ennis may be looking for gold but Louise Hazel has other targets in sight (Getty Images for Aviva)

Hazel achieved the ‘B' qualifying standard in her first heptathlon of the year, setting a personal best of 6,043 points at the Erdgas Combined Events Meeting in Ratingen, Germany in June.

With fellow heptathlete Jessica Ennis matching the ‘A' standard requirements, Hazel was selected for Germany in line with UK Athletics' development plans for the London 2012 Olympics.  

"It is going to be my first experience of a major global championship and I just want to make sure I get as much out of it and use it as a stepping stone and experience for London in 2012," said Hazel, who also appeared at the 2006 European Championship in Gothenburg.

"Getting to the World Championships was massive for me. I had to wait until the squad was announced to be sure and I was an absolutely wreck that weekend.  

"I want to go to Berlin and soak it up and make sure I take a lot out of the experience but at the same time I want to make sure I perform well and I am looking to get some PB's in.

"It is going to be a great experience for me but I also want to make sure I put down some good performances with the Commonwealth Games and the European Championships next year.

"Those are championships that I want to be going to, so if I can go to Berlin and perform then that will stand me in good stead.

"Going past the 6,000 point mark was a massive boost for me because it gave me a real confidence boost coming into Berlin and finish in the top 20 is also one of my targets."

MEDAL HOPE: Louise Hazel doesn't worry about being overshadowed by world number one Jess Ennis in Berlin (Getty Images)

Inevitably the focus will once again be on Ennis - ranked number one in the world and widely viewed as Britain's best medal chance.

At previous championships much has been made of the supposed rivalry between Ennis and British team-mate Kelly Sotherton.

But with Sotherton missing through injury, Hazel claimed that Ennis was nothing but an inspiration.

"There's not a rivalry really between me and Jess Ennis and there is no jealousy on my part," said Hazel, speaking at an Aviva-funded UKA preparation camp in Portugal.

"I know there is going to be a lot of media attention surrounding Jess and that she is a big medal hope for us and for me, any attention that the heptathlon is getting is just great.

"Jess and I have known each other and have competed against each other since we were 14, so there is a good bit of banter between us.

"Hopefully there won't be too many low points but in a heptathlon there are always parts where you might be struggling and if we can help each other then great.

"I am not a shrinking violet so if there is extra attention surrounding Jess and the heptathlon because of her gold medal chances then so be it."

ROOM TO IMPROVE: Louise Hazel made her senior international debut at the European Championships three years ago - this time she is looking for personal best performances (Getty Images)

Staying at a holding camp in Portugal ahead of a championship is a new experience to Hazel, but one she's certainly relishing.

"Preparation has gone really well and the holding camp in Portugal is certainly a massive bonus to me," added Hazel.

"It is a bit strange coming away and doing a holding camp because any event I have ever been too previously, I have been at home just getting myself psyched up and prepared for the event.

"But I think it is great that I have been able to get away and do this because it means that we are getting some really quality sessions in.

"I am able to work with another heptathlete in Jess and just really get ourselves ready. If I was at home I would be really getting myself ready but not in the way that we are here and not in such a good atmosphere.

"I am very excited and nervous but I am confident I can use those nerves to my advantage and put in a good performance."