Sophie Kamlish set a new personal best and there were top-three finishes for Eilidh Doyle and Andrew Pozzi as University of Bath-based athletes produced eye-catching Diamond League displays in Rome and Birmingham.
Kamlish, coached by Rob Ellchuk at the Sports Training Village, took 0.08 off her previous best as she won the women’s 100m Paralympic race in 13.36 at Rome’s Stadio Olimpico.
That equals the second fastest time in the world this year in the T44 classification, with only reigning Paralympic champion Marie-Amelie le Fur having gone quicker.
Pozzi and Doyle – both coached by Malcolm Arnold at the STV – were also in action in Rome, finishing third in the men’s 110m hurdles (13.37) and women’s 400m hurdles (54.81) respectively.
It was a second Olympic qualifying standard in as many races for Pozzi, who was making his first Diamond League appearance for two years and led until clipping the final hurdle.
Doyle continued her impressive form when the action moved to Birmingham on Sunday and was only denied victory by one-thousandth of a second, American Cassandra Tate edging a photo-finish in 54.57.
“It would have been good to win it but you can’t call it much closer than that,” said Doyle.
“I’m pleased with how the race went, I felt really smooth and strong. I’m in a great place everything is going well I’m just trying to get some good races under my belt then get ready for trials and secure that spot on the plane to Rio.”
The British Championships, incorporating the Olympic Trials, are taking place at the Alexander Stadium in Birmingham from June 24-26. Both Doyle and Pozzi have set their Olympic qualification time and now need to finish in the top two of their respective finals at the trials.
Report courtesy of Team Bath Press Office at Matchtight Ltd.
