Going for glory at Commonwealth Games
World indoor triple jump record-holder Ashia Hansen has won her fight for fitness and represents England in the Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur next week.
She's among nine Shaftesbury Barnet athletes, the largest representation from a British club.
A competition-fit Ashia would be one of the biggest certainties for a gold medal in Malaysia. Her outdoor best of 15.15m, when winning the the Grand Prix final in Japan last September, is well ahead of that achieved by her rivals.
However, she's only been in action in the triple jump once in the last six months since damaging her ankle in setting a new world indoor record of 15.16m in Valencia in February.
Forced to miss the European Championships in Budapest last month, Ashia turned out for Shaftesbury in the Jubilee Cup final. Still troubled by the injury, and with her left foot heavily strapped, she won with 13.39m.
Despite her problem, Commonwealth and British record-holder Ashia should still emerge a comfortable winner, with her fellow England representatives, Shaftesbury's Connie Henry and Michelle Griffith (Windsor, Slough and Eton AC), from Edgware, expected to be among those battling it out for the other medals.
Connie, who took advantage of injured Ashia's absence to win the European trial, has been troubled by a back problem. But she confirmed her fitness by equalling her personal best of 13.95m at Thurrock last week.
Michelle, who also missed the cup final, with a poisoned toe, broke the Southern League record with 13.71m at Southampton on Saturday. An experienced competitor, she has contested the Olympics, and has a personal best of 14.04m.
The most experienced campaigner in the English team, Shaftesbury sprinter Simmone Jacobs has competed in four Olympics, gaining relay medals. Among the favourites for the 100m in Kuala Lumpur, Simmone is also in the relay squad.
Tracy Axten could be a shock gold medallist in the discus. Troubled by a back injury since the start of the year, she has only recently recovered full fitness, and won well with 53.73m in the Jubilee Cup final.
Angie Joiner, who runs in the 10,000m, knows a repeat of her fastest time, 33min 53sec, would probably put her among the medals.
Running for Northern Ireland in the 400m is Stephanie Llewellyn. Though she failed to make the final in the European Championship trials, Stephanie is capable of much better.
Larry Achike, world junior triple jump champion of two years ago, has been called-up to deputise for injured world record holder Jonathan Edwards for Britain in the World Cup in South Africa at the weekend and will go for England in Kuala Lumpur.
Brothers Benedict and Pamenos Ballantyne complete the Shaftesbury contingent. Both represent the Caribbean island of St Vincents and St Kits in the marathon, and Pamenos also runs in the 10,000m.
Pamenos finished 12th in this year's London Marathon in 2hrs 16mins with Benedict finishing 60th in 2hrs 27min.
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