Holly Bradshaw crowned pole vault champion at British Championships
Last Updated: 24/03/17 1:06pm
Sky Scholar and pole vaulter Holly Bradshaw continued her sizzling comeback from a 16-month absence with victory at the British Championships.
After winning at the Welsh Championships last week in her first event since January 2014, the 23-year-old from Preston enjoyed more success at the Alexander Stadium in Birmingham on Saturday.
Having already leapt a World Championship qualifying mark in Cardiff to secure a Welsh all-comers record of 4.50m, Bradshaw was at it again, matching the same height on the country's biggest stage in an event that acts as the World trials.
"It was a great competition and I was super excited to be back competing on British soil," said Bradshaw.
"I haven’t been jumping too high so I’m a little disappointed because I should be jumping a little bit higher but that’s because I’m super impatient. I want to be back where I was (before the injury) but I’m not quite there yet.
"Things need tweaking but I’ve got plenty of time before the World Championships and Rio so hopefully things will start to come together soon.
"I’m fit and healthy and felt awesome on the run-up – I’m missing a bit of the timing."
It was though a tough day for Bradshaw's training partner Sally Peake whose involvement was ended early because of injury.
Last week Bradshaw admitted in her Sky Scholar blog that she had felt very nervous in preparing for her return to the competitive arena after being out for so long but it was all part of a grand plan for preparing for next year's Olympics in Brazil.
On guaranteeing her qualification for the World Championships in China in August, the former European Indoor champion added: "I’ve got the standard twice now so it is good to confirm automatic selection and now I can concentrate on Beijing.
"As soon as I find my rhythm, I’ll be jumping 4.70 plus. It was really important to win the title and add to my British Athletics medals – they are all out on a shelf at home.
"It’s really killed me over the last couple of years not to compete here. It’s great to be back and have this amazing medal.”