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| | Sunday, 14 July, 2002, 19:21 GMT 20:21 UK Benjamin books European place Colin Jackson has his sights on a fourth European title Tim Benjamin upset the form book with a storming run to win the 400 metre final at the Norwich Union Trials and AAA Championships in Birmingham over the weekend. The 20-year-old Welshman went out quickly from the blocks and was well placed to overtake Sean Baldock and Jared Deacon on the home straight to win in 45.73 seconds and book his place for the European Championships in Munich. Benjamin, who won the European juniors last year, will be joined by Baldock, second in 45.64sec, while the absent Daniel Caines, Britain's number one this year, will get the discretionary slot. "I had to go out hard because in the heats I had so much left at the end," Benjamin said. "I'm in great shape. My coach, Tony Lester, has got me in wicked shape this year. "I felt like I've let him down a little because I haven't been racing the way I should be, but now hopefully he'll be pleased." Benjamin's performance was a shot in the arm for Wales ahead of this month's Commonwealth Games, with compatriot Jamie Baulch finishing in fifth place and Iwan Thomas not even making the final. Thomas' dreams of defending his European 400m title had ended in tatters on Saturday as he bowed out in the semi-final.
The 28-year-old Welshman, who has been dogged by injury since winning European and Commonwealth gold in 1998, was clearly lacking race fitness as he tired in the home straight to trail in fifth in a disappointing 47.07 seconds. Thomas missed a month's training earlier in the year because of a hamstring problem but has been picked by Wales to defend his Commonwealth crown in Manchester later this month. "I'm devastated that I haven't made the final and won't be in a position to defend my European title," said Thomas. "This is the lowest I have ever felt in my life and having suffered injuries in the winter, the trials have just come around too soon. "I am going to take a couple of days to reflect and refocus on getting back to my best, which I know I will." There were no such problems for Colin Jackson as he extended his AAA titles record to 11 with victory in the 110m hurdles. Jackson, who retires at the end of the season, won in 13.40sec and will now bid in Munich to become the first Briton to win four successive European titles. "It was nice to finish off my AAA's championships with a win," said Jackson, whose great rival Tony Jarrett was second in a season's best 13.52.
"The aim was to come out of this healthy and work on my preparation for the Commonwealths. I still feel healthy with a good win so I can't be anything but happy." Discus thrower Philippa Roles was another success story amongst the Welsh contingent in Birmingham. The Sale Harrier threw 52.32 metres to take the title, with Shelley Newman second (54.08) and Emma Carpenter (53.28) third. Catherine Murphy qualified for Munich by coming second in the final of the women's 400m in a time of 52.10sec. Despite a blistering last 50 metres, Christian Malcolm could only manage third place in the 200m final behind winner Marlon Devonish and Darren Campbell. Doug Turner failed to make the race after being disqualified for two false starts. Cardiff 400m hurdler Matt Elias took third place in his final with a time of 49.79sec, behind winner Chris Rawlinson (48.68) and Anthony Borsumato (48.90). Hayley Tullet also claimed third place in the 1500m, which was won in impressive style by Kelly Holmes, who claimed her third AAA title in 4:06.02 minutes. There was also a good show in the 5000m from Catherine Dugdale, the Swansea Harrier finishing second behind Hayley Yelling in a time of 16:25.14. Tim Thomas had a disappointing time in the pole vault and could only finish in sixth place. | |
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