I want a leap sweep
RUTHERFORD EYES THE WORLD INDOOR TITLE TO COMPLETE ‘INCREDIBLE’ SET OF JUMPING HONOURS
THE full set of global long jump titles is in range – and Greg Rutherford is poised to take that “incredible” shot.
Britain’s Olympic, world, European and Commonwealth champion (above) is missing only the world indoor title from his glittering collection – and was resigned to that being the one that got away.
That was until he shocked himself by returning from injury to capture the British crown in Birmingham on Saturday.
An opening leap of 7.80 metres did more than bring him victory, it all but convinced the 31-year-old he should return to the same arena on Friday week to challenge for World Indoor gold. “Three months ago I started walking post-surgery,” tweeted Rutherford, who competed only three times in 2017 due to groin and ankle operations.
“One month ago I jumped for the first time in training and today I become national indoor champion.
“When I had the ankle surgery the doctor said there’s absolutely no chance you’ll be ready to jump by the indoors and I only started walking again in mid-November, yet here I am.
“If I’d jumped six metres I’d have been crying and announcing my retirement, but it’s near enough to eight metres to think I can still do it.”
Rutherford does not have the qualifying standard of 8.19m, but as host nation Britain are able to enter one athlete in an event where there is not otherwise any representation.
It is expected he will be named in the British team tomorrow pending his body holding up at this weekend’s Glasgow GP.
Rutherford admitted: “It will be an incredible turnaround if I make it.”
Former world indoor champion Richard Kilty will not be in Birmingham however after his troublesome Achilles prevented him from starting Saturday’s 60m final, won by CJ Ujah.
Eilidh Doyle (women’s 400m), Lee Thompson (men’s 400m), Edmond Amaning (men’s 200m), Finette Agyapong (women’s 200m), Shelayna Oskan-Clarke (women’s 800m) and Eilish McColgan (women’s 1500m) won British titles yesterday.