ON Independence Day in the land of their birth, Tiffany Porter and Cindy Ofili made a significant declaration of intent at the UK Athletics Championships in Birmingham, delivering a one-two finish in the 100 metres hurdles that ensures both sisters will travel to the World Championship in Beijing next month.
Porter, 27 and the older by seven years, has already won European gold and global bronze for the country where her mother was born. Ofili, recently repatriated within the British system, may also provide a healthy return on the investments made in her development.
European indoor medallist Lucy Hatton, who had hinted at a lack of enthusiasm for Ofili's recent arrival, as the debate continues to rage over the adoption of so-called Plastic Brits, blew the opport- unity to state her case with deeds not words when she hit the fourth hurdle and sloped out. It means either she or Serita Solomon will miss out on China.
Porter will keep her own counsel. She said: "For me as a competitor, I think it's important to just let your performances speak for themselves. I don't really do too much talking, I'm just really looking forward to going to Beijing and hopefully doing well there."
Another of the latest crop of arrivistes, Anguillan-born sprinter Zharnel Hughes, exploded to victory in the men's 200m in 20.44 seconds. Vociferous critics such as would-be rival Richard Kilty will not faze the 19-year-old. "That hasn't been bothering me," Hughes said. "I have a strong mind and a great focus on what I came to do."
Eilidh Child is also paying close attention to a new-found comp- atriot with the addition of American- born Shante Little to the 400m hurdling fray. The European champion underlined her intent to defend her UK title with the quickest heat time of 55.98secs with Little, ranked third, almost four seconds slower.
But the Scot will treat any challenge to her present duopoly with Meghan Beesley with respect. "We don't know a lot about her," Child said. "Meghan and I have been rivals for years but in hurdles anything can happen. It would good because we're missing Perri Shakes-Drayton. We lost that depth so if someone else comes in to fight with us, it will help."
Lynsey Sharp coasted into the 800m final, where she will face a challenge from Jenny Meadows and Alison Leonard. Chris O'Hare and Jake Wightman will look for improvements, and the necessary qualifying standards for Beijing, in the men's 1500m final.
Laura Muir needs a top-two finish in the women's 1500m final to secure her spot after emerging from a bruising semi-final. "It was my first real tactical race of the year," she said. "I wanted to get boxed in and work on getting out of that situation. It was always going to be a bit scrappy but it's great experience for the heats at the worlds."
Lennie Waite regained the 3000m steeplechase title and will now head abroad in search of the quick time she needs to confirm selection. Mark Dry will look for the 76m throw required to do likewise after coming second to Nick Miller in the hammer, with Glaswegian Chris Bennett third. Kirsty Law took bronze in the discus in 52.15m behind Jade Lally and Eden Francis.
Elsewhere, Kirsten McAslan (400m) and Rhona Auckland (10000m) will lead Scottish hopes when the European Under-23 Championships start in Tallinn on Thursday.
Eilish McColgan is to undergo surgery in London tomorrow in a bid to repair her broken foot in time to qualify for Rio 2016. "If I was a normal person I could just leave it to heal but they'll put a screw in it to fix it properly," the steeplechaser said. "The main thing is just to get running again."
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