Rutherford sets long jump record

ATHLETICS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
Venue: Olympic Stadium, Berlin Date: 15-23 August
Coverage: Watch the action live and highlights on BBC Two, BBC HD, Red Button, Radio 5 live and the BBC Sport website (video for UK users only)
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Replay - Rutherford leaps to record

Great Britain's Greg Rutherford set a new national long jump record of 8.30 metres in qualifying to earn his place in Saturday's final at 1705 BST.

Earlier Michael Rimmer progressed through to Friday's 800m semi at 1930 BST after coming third in his heat.

Britain's Mo Farah also came through his 5,000m heat with no problems to make Sunday's final at 1525 BST.

GB's Will Sharman came fourth in the 110m hurdles final, which was won by Ryan Brathwaite of Barbados.

Sharman set a personal best of 13.30 seconds but could not keep up with the leading trio, who were separated by just 0.01s in a blanket finish.

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"I think I stumbled a bit at the start but I did what I did in the previous round and that kept me in contention," Sharman told BBC Sport.

"Who knows what is next? I am 24 now and when the London Olympics comes around in 2012 I should be in my prime. I will be pushing for a gold medal."

Brathwaite won gold in a time of 13.14 seconds, with American duo Terrence Trammell and David Payne claiming silver and bronze respectively in the same time of 13.15.

"This is just great. It did happen," said Brathwaite, who won despite hitting the first hurdle.

"I am very happy. My dream really has come true. Barbados is only a small country but I showed the world who I am.

Highlights - Rimmer forces his way through

"At the first hurdle I thought I do not have this race anymore but then I fought and fought to the end and the gold was mine."

Olympic champion Dayron Robles failed to make it into the final, pulling up injured after hitting the first three hurdles in his semi-final heat.

Britain's Steve Lewis also made it into Saturday's final of the men's pole vault, although Luke Cutts missed out.

Lewis progressed through to the final despite suffering a broken pole midway through qualifying.

A piece came off the end of it during one jump but he kept his composure to later record 5.65m, which proved enough to make the final.

Meanwhile Farah will be joined in Sunday's final by Ethiopia's double Olympic champion Kenenisa Bekele.

Bekele is hoping to add a 5,000m gold medal to the 10,000m title he won in Berlin on Monday.

No man has ever completed the long-distance double at the World Championships.

"I'm happy with that," Farah told BBC Sport after his race.

"I've been waiting to run for a week and I'm pleased to make the final.

"There is more to come. I've got two days rest now and I'm looking forward to the final."

Highlights - Lewis leaps into final

Earlier Southport-born Rimmer came third in his 800m heat in a time of one minute 48.20 seconds and needed a sprint finish to hold off the challenge of Senegal's Abdoulaye Wagne to progress.

"I was confident coming into the home straight as I knew I had a bit left," Rimmer told BBC Sport.

"I came through and I can't complain."

But favourite Steven Hooker, from Australia, is doubtful for Saturday's final after aggravating a thigh muscle during qualifying.

Following his stunning first jump in qualifying Rutherford was delighted at breaking the national record.

"I don't know what to say, I expected to jump well, but didn't expect a British record," he told BBC Sport.

"I'd been jumping well in training and I just need to keep my game head on and carry this on into the final."

Chris Tomlinson recorded a best of 8.06m in the first round which was also good enough to make the final.

"I'm pleased to get through and now I'm in there I need to find a big distance," said the 27-year-old. "Now it's a case of really gambling and try to move it up there."