Long jumper Proctor relishing big summer ahead
BySportsbeat
Published 19/04/2017 at 12:38 GMT
With a spot at the London 2017 World Athletics Championships up for grabs, 2015 long jump silver medallist Shara Proctor admits she is only too aware of the challenge that awaits at this year's British Athletics Team Trials in July.
Eurosport
Image credit: Eurosport
Taking place in Birmingham from July 1-2, the Team Trials will welcome a whole host of British medallists in the event in addition to Proctor, including Lorraine Ugen who won European indoor silver in Belgrade last month.
Also lining up will be last year's European silver medallist Jazmin Sawyers, as well as Katarina Johnson-Thompson, who finished second at the 2014 World Indoor Championships.
In winning her silver medal in Beijing two years ago, Proctor, who represented Team GB at the Olympic Games in Rio last summer, became the first British female long jumper to jump over seven metres.
And with a berth at this year's Championships the top prize at the trials at the Alexander Stadium, she's determined to make sure her name is on the starting list in the capital come August.
"I can't wait for the British Athletics Team Trials and I have to perform well there to make sure I qualify to represent Great Britain at this year's World Championships," said Proctor, who holds the British outdoor long jump record.
"I know I'll be up against a very strong field of jumpers in Birmingham which will hopefully push me to further distances.
"It will be a great competition and would be brilliant to see as many fans as possible cheering on the British athletes on 1-2 July."
As well as her recent indoor silver success, 25-year-old Ugen also has a World indoor bronze in her collection, won in Portland last year.
And with the opportunity to compete alongside the world's best at London's Olympic Stadium in August, she admits there is no greater motivation needed to spur her on ahead of the trials.
"I love competing at the British Athletics Team Trials, and this year will be even more special with so much at stake," she said.
"We all want to compete at the IAAF World Championships and the fact that it's in London makes it an even bigger deal for the British athletes.
"I had a great start to the year indoors and I'm really focussed on continuing that form outdoors and making sure I'm ready for a tough competition in Birmingham."
Sportsbeat 2017
Scan me
Related Topics
Share this article
Advertisement
Advertisement