Black feeling positive over Team GB

Neil Black is confident about Britain's athletes going into the World Championships
15 July 2013

British Athletics performance director Neil Black heads into the World Championships selection meeting fresh from a "really, really positive" British Championships.

There were fine performances across the board in Birmingham, where victory guaranteed athletes a place in Russia next month if they held the current 'A' standard.

Olympic medallists Robbie Grabarz and Christine Ohuruogu were among those to secure their place on the plane, as were Perri Shakes-Drayton, Asha Philip and Dwain Chambers.

The latter won the 100 metres but it is James Dasaolu that took the headlines, blazing through his semi-final in 9.91 seconds before sitting out the final to avoid injury.

Dasaolu's performance all but secures his place on the plane and was one of many highlights for Black, who meets with his fellow selectors today.

"It was really, really positive," he said. "Obviously the men's 100m sprinters yesterday there was James in particular, but then there was Dwain, Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, Mark Lewis-Francis.

"Joel Fearon unfortunately made a mistake so didn't go through and that changes history.

"Asha came through and registered times in the sprints, some of the guys from the European Under-23s, then Perri. We could go on but generally it is a really positive time for us."

All-in-all, 18 athletes have booked their place ahead of today's selection meeting.

Reigning world silver medallist Hannah England is among those after winning gold in the women's 1,500m, although not in the manner she wanted.

In what was teed up to be one of the weekend's best races, her biggest rivals Lisa Dobriskey and Laura Weightman both saw their races ended early through injury.

The latter collided with Charlene Thomas and a spike incident put paid to Dobriskey's race.

"It was a very weird race," England told Press Association Sport.

"I expected it to be a bit physical and quite tactical but I didn't expect falls. You don't tend to get that in British-only races as people tend to be a bit more careful. It is a real shame.

"For the first time in a few years, we've had the top three girls make it to the start line in a trial, not to mention Charlene Thomas, a past champion, Emma Jackson.

"It really should have been the race of the weekend, but unfortunately it did not happen."

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