Meadows finally claims first national outdoor title

By Gerard Meagher, Sportsbeat, in Birmingham

JENNY Meadows might have medals from world and European Championships but she finally claimed her first UK outdoor title in Birmingham.

FINALLY: Jenny Meadows won her first national outdoor senior title with an 800m victory in Birmingham (Getty Images)

Meadows got her tactics spot on to win the 800m at the Aviva National Championships, holding off Emma Jackson down the home straight to clock 2:02.28.

"It's such a relief to finally win one," she admitted.

"I felt quite a bit of pressure about it all week. It's really important to be UK champion because all the great athletes who have won in the past.

"I’ve won every age group national title but never the seniors outdoor. It’s a bit a pride - I am the British number one and it’s so nice to get the actual title to go with it.

"I've also done three rounds in less than 48 hours and I'm feeling healthy, which is a real positive.

"It was a very tactical race but I feel I've got all the skills that I need now to compete in whatever the race throws at me.

"The pressure is on me now because I've medalled at the last two major championships, I know what I have to do."

Perri Shakes Drayton became the first British athlete to do the 400m double at the event, adding the hurdles title to her win on the flat 24 hours previously.

Shakes Drayton admitted she was exhausted after four races in two days, which might explain a 55.52 sec time that was well off her best.

"It was nice to win the 400 but that's not my event - this is," she said. "I wanted to do the business and I've made history as well.

"Me and my coach have put a lot of work and time and he believed in me. That’s why he put me in for both the 400 and the 400 hurdles. He thought I was capable of doing it and he was right."

In the absence of Marlon Devonish, who surprisingly failed to progress through the heats, Christian Malcolm defended his 200m title.

Last year's European silver medallist was sluggish out of the blocks but powered off the bend to cross the line in 20.85 secs into a strong headwind.

"I'm in good shape and I just need to stay injury free," said Malcolm.

"I know the form that I've got and I'm really looking forward to it now

."I have to be realistic about my chances in Daegu. The standard of the event has moved on so much with the likes of Tyson Gay and Usain Bolt. 

"But I know Usain isn’t at his best right now. You can see it in his face when he runs. 

"The other night he looked disappointed, which says to me that he is not feeling great and when you’re up against athletes who aren’t feeling great mentally you have to jump on it."

Martyn Rooney claims he is slowly returning to his best form after winning the 400m in 45.44 secs but his sixth place finish at the Beijing Olympics does seem a long way away.

 "It’s still not really good enough," he admitted.

"We’re not satisfied, but we’ve just got to sort it out and pull our fingers out. We need to do a bit better over the next couple of weeks before we go to Daegu.

"I’m frustrated because I think I’m running weak. The way the standard is at the moment it would be nice to be running 44.6, 44.7 every week, then I’d be near the world number ones. Hopefully, in the next couple of weeks I’ll get there."

 Andrew Osagie denied Michael Rimmer, last year's European silver medallist who has had a season hampered by injury, a sixth consecutive 800m national title with a determined run.

Osagie still needs the A qualifying standard but his 1:46.84 time is surely worthy of the selectors' discretionary powers.

New British record holder Holly Bleasdale was a confident winner in the pole vault clearing 4.56 metres to beat former champion Kate Dennison by 16cm.

"I thought 4.70m was going to be the highest I jumped this season, but from my very last jump today I know I’ve got more in me," said Bleasdale.  

Elsewhere, in the absence of Phillips Idowu, Larry Achike won the triple jump in a season's best 16.83m while Goldie Sayers won another javelin title, with a best of 60.57m.

© Sportsbeat 2011