Overseas action

Whilst Dan Awde was competing in a major international decathlon in Desenzano del Gardo in Italy, several other Woodford athletes were competing in Pavia. Performances there were led by a pb over 100m for Elaine O'Neil.

Dan enjoyed a fine start to his decatlon, recording 10.95 secs (0.0) over 100m, just missing his pb in the long jump with 7.20m (0.0), and  then recording a pb of 12.70m in the shot. He followed that with a modest high jump of 1.89m, and good 400m of 47.92secs to leave him well on target for his aim of 7700 points to qualify for the European U 23 Championships. The second day started even better with a pb over 110m H of 14.43 secs (0.0) and a solid discus of 38.43m. However disaster struck in the pole vault where, having trouble with his run-up, Dan did not clear his opening height.

In Pavia, Elaine O'Neil recorded a fine pb over 100m  of 11.60 secs (-0.7) for 2nd after an 11.77 secs heat.  In the men's sprints, Tim Abeyei opened his season with 10.65 secs (+0.1) and 21.42 secs (+0.4), with U/20 Junior Ejehu recording 21.53 secs. New HCA member James Dasaolu surprised all with a new pb of 10.15 secs (+1.0) in his heat and then 10.20 secs (+0.1) in the final. Tara Bird placed 4th over 400m with 54.59 secs, and Francis Smith opened his season over 400mH with 53.39 secs.

Meanwhile, in Doha on Friday evening, Joice Maduaka recorded 11.43 secs as she placed 7th over 100m.