T
HE historic Inter-Counties,
which were first staged in
1927, are again incorporated
into these championships,
will see a mix of experienced
internationals and up-and-coming
athletes battle it out in Manchester.
Shot-putter Sophie McKinna,
who has the World Championships
qualifying mark, continues her
build-up for next month’s BritishChampionships, where she hopes
to secure selection for Doha.
Meanwhile, one athlete who
already has his name on the team
sheet, 50km race walker Dominic
King, will go over the 3km here.
European indoor heptathlon
silver medallist Tim Duckworth is
entered for the high jump, shot put,
long jump and pole vault.
Also likely to have a busy
couple of days is European junior
heptathlon fourth-placer Holly Mills,
who is down for the 200m, long
jump and shot.
European triple jump silver
medallist Naomi Ogbeta is due to
defend her title and continue her
quest for the 14.20m Doha mark.
Twice Olympian Nathan Douglas
will be in action in the triple jump,
where he meets Michael Puplampu
and Nathan Fox. Also on the jumps
runway, eight-metre long jumper
Jacob Fincham-Dukes will be
seeking to continue his good form.
The men’s shot put will see theUK’s top two this year, Scott Lincoln
and Youcef Zatat, go head to head.
In the pole vault, Harry Coppell, after
his recent PB of 5.61m, wants to
go 10cm higher to gain the Doha
standard as he faces Joel-Leon
Benitez.
World University Games 5000m
winner Jess Judd is listed for both
800m and 1500m. Jacob Paul andEfe Okoro are the ones to watch
in the 400m hurdles. Under-20
pole vaulter Molly Caudery will be
seeking her eighth England title in
various age groups. Also in action
will be UK discus No.2 Nick Percy
and world indoor 60m semi-finalist
Andrew Robertson, who is entered
for both sprints, plus sprint-hurdler
Alicia Barrett.PREVIEWS UPCOMING EVENTS
ENGLAND ATHLETICS CHAMPIONSHIPS INC INTER-COUNTIES, SPORTCITY, JULY 27-28
Dual domestic champs
MANCHESTER STAGES THE ENGLISH AND
INTER-COUNTIES CHAMPS THIS WEEKEND
Sophie McKinna: shot favourite
Michael Puplampu:
part of a competitive
triple jump line-upPICTURES: MARK SHEARMAN
Jess Judd (centre): world universities
champion is set to race in Manchester