Beesley proves talent in Poland

MEGHAN BEESLEY underlined her growing reputation with 400m hurdles bronze at the World Junior Championships in Poland.

The 18-year-old - who qualified for the final with the fastest time - produced another dazzling display as she registered a new personal best of 57.08 seconds to stave off the challenge of Ukrainian Hannah Titimets and secure a place on the podium.

American Takecia Jameson took gold in a new championship record time of 56.29s while Janeil Bellille of Trinidad, who Beesley beat in the semis, took second spot with a national record of her own.

And after almost crashing out of the competition following a collision with the second hurdle in her heat, Beesley was over the moon to have clinched Britain's second medal of the championships.

"I can't believe it, I got a medal," she said.  "It wasn't the best finish, but I held on ran a PB and got a medal.

"I heard the girl who came fourth coming behind and I just thought ‘keep going, keep going'.

"I was fairly confident because I had a good semi and my heat wasn't too bad, but I just wanted to get out and do it.

"I thought I'd have a chance, but the winner ran incredibly well. I'd have liked to have just dipped under 57 seconds but I'm happy with that. "

And while Beesley will undoubtedly be tagged as the new Sally Gunnell following her displays in Bydgoszcz, the teenager is still contemplating a career alongside Birchfield favourite Kelly Sotherton in the heptathlon.

"I plan to do a heptathlon in early September and see how it goes," she added.  "I don't really train for the heptathlon - I just do it.

"I don't do enough training for it. I just do three jumps but I could go down that route in the future."

RYAN BANGS