British duo leap into final

Great Britain high jump duo Martyn Bernard and Tom Parsons both produced personal best performances to leap into Wednesday's final at the World Championships in Osaka.

City of Sheffield athlete Bernard and Birchfield Harrier Parsons both cleared the 2.29metres automatic qualifying mark - but team-mate Germaine Mason fell short of the required height after managing only a solitary clearance of 2.19m.

Parsons, who set his previous lifetime best of 2.28m earlier this year, needed his last attempt to advance after moving comfortably through the earlier heights.

The 23-year-old was a last-minute inclusion in the Great Britain team after proving his form with a clearance of 2.27m the weekend before the deadline, but is now confident he can reach new heights in the Far East.

"I can't believe it, I thought I would just come here and take as many scalps as I can," said Parsons, who is competing in only his second major championships after finishing 11th in the Commonwealth Games last year.

"I started off feeling good in warm-up and I felt I had a good rhythm and I knew I had a big jump in my body.

"It's been on the cards for a while so I am just glad I can pull it out on the big occasion. To jump 2.29 is unbelievable and I am now starting to believe I belong here.

"On the last jump I just felt like this was my moment, I have come all the way over here and worked so hard over the winter for it and knew I just needed to do it."