Mara Yamauchi forced to withdraw from World Championships

GREAT Britain's hopes of medal success at the World Championships have been dealt a further blow by the news marathon runner Mara Yamauchi has withdrawn with a foot injury.

RULED OUT: Mara Yamauchi has been forced to withdraw from August's World Championships, leaving GB's list of potential medal winners even shorter

Yamauchi, 35, had booked her place in Berlin next month, courtesy of a career-best finish of second at the London Marathon in April where she clocked a new personal best of 2:23.12 hours.

The Japan-based athlete, who finished sixth at the Beijing Olympics last summer, was therefore considered a genuine medal hope at the World Championships.

But should Paula Radcliffe fail to recover from the broken toe that saw her miss out in London - for the fourth consecutive year - UKA head coach Charles van Commenee will now be forced to write off a British marathon medal.

Yamauchi is confident of a successful return to fitness but it remains to be seen whether she will be able to capitalise on her breakthrough in London upon her return.

"After thinking it over very carefully, unfortunately I have come to the conclusion that I will not be able to race competitively in Berlin and have decided to withdraw," said Yamauchi, who finished ninth at the last World Championships in Osaka two years ago.

"This was a difficult decision to make as it is always a huge honour to race in a GB vest and represent your country.

"I have been doing everything possible to help my foot to recover quickly.

"Although it has improved, I have concluded that there is insufficient time left to enable me to prepare properly for such a high-quality race and reach the start line in 100 per cent top shape.

"I have made a big breakthrough this year and was looking forward to the World Championships with great optimism.

"I will now concentrate on returning to full health, and look forward to racing again once I am back at my best. I wish my team-mates all the very best in Berlin."

While Yamauchi clearly has reason to be downbeat at the news, so does van Commenee.

There are just six major championships and counting until London 2012 and in the ten months since the Beijing Olympics, there has been little to suggest Team GB will set the World Championships alight.

Defending 400m champion Christine Ohuruogu must be considered among the best gold medal hopes and van Commenee has singled out heptathlete Jess Ennis, who has made a remarkable comeback from injury, as the jewel in the crown.

But the loss of Yamauchi, coupled with an at best under-cooked Radcliffe, ensures the Dutchman's list of potential medal winners in Berlin continues to grow shorter.  

"Mara is an athlete of great talent, maturity and professionalism," said van Commenee.

"She was also a true medal contender for Berlin and as such we will miss her presence.

"UKA will work closely with her to be sure she is getting all the support possible to help her return to full health in the near future."