Manchester delight for smiling Law

So close to retirement a few summers back when athletics appeared devoid of joy, Kirsty Law has regained the vigour of old – and injected a little more.

And in defending her discus title at the British Championships in Manchester last night, the Highlander had much to savour, and to look forward to.

Even with the pressure elevated with a single attempt remaining, the 33-yearold shrugged off the burden and simply let fly, producing an effort of 57.95 metres into the night air to venture 14 centimetres beyond her previous best, delivered back in 2012.

With cardboard cutouts filling the empty seats at the Trafford Arena, Law is alive to the possibilities that lie ahead with even marginal improvements.

The 12-time Scottish champion still dreams of an Olympic debut.

This was an event which was formerly slated to be the British trials for Tokyo 2020. But even in the world disrupted, she is in a happy place.

“Eight years for a personal best but what a place to do it,” she said.

“They said European Championships was cancelled so everything was built towards British Championships. I’m delighted.”

London-based Scot Will Grimsey took silver in the men’s high jump by clearing 2.15m to finish behind Joel Clarke-Khan.

“The conditions were fine, the wind was not ideal but, it is not really an excuse,” Grimsey said.

Scottish record holder Heather Paton securedbronzeinthe100mhurdles with a run of 13.60 secs as Cindy Ofili struck gold. Para world champion Sammi Kinghorn was second to Paralympic gold medallist Hannah Cockcroft in the wheelchair 400m.

Harry Coppell raised the UK pole vault record to 5.85m while Jake Wightman made the men’s 800m final with casual ease in his semi-final.

Scottish prospect Hannah Cameron reached the 800m final with Phillipa Millage setting a British over-40s record of 2:09.81 in coming fifth in her semi.

Laura Muir and Eilish McColgan will renew acquaintances in Poland tomorrow with the Dundee Hawkhill Harriers duo set to clash over 1,500m at the Chorzow Grand Prix, where Guy Learmonth races the men’s 800m.

With UK Athletics facing delicate negotiations over a new television deal after their contract with the BBC ends this weekend, the long list of A-List stayaways from the domestic championships has come in for criticism from former stars. But McColgan insisted organisers were culpable for her late decision to join the withdrawals.

“I wasn’t sure if the champs would even be able to go ahead in the normal racing format,” she said.

Kirsty Law: Positive for her future.