Eilidh Child believes it’s only a matter of time before she lowers her personal best.
And her next chance to make that happen is at the Diamond League in Stockholm tomorrow when the 400 metre hurdler makes what could be her last apperance in the event before next month’s World Championships in Beijing.
Child is showing the right form at the right time as she seeks to improve on her fifth place two years ago at the last Worlds.
And her 54.48 second time in the Sainsbury’s Anniversary Games on Friday night was encouragingly just two hundredths slower than her season’s best, despite having to power through puddles on an awful night for track and field athletics.
“I’m in personal best shape if I can get the right conditions and the right race,” the Kinross runner pointed out.
“I was in contention and right amongst it. That was the right race but, unfortunately, it was the wrong conditions.
“That’s also the closest I’ve been to those guys this year. I was just happy with a solid performance and to take some good scalps. However, you don’t want to risk anything this close to the World Championships.”
Child is 13th on the IAAF rankings for her event but will be disappointed with anything less than a final appearance in Beijing.
After Stockholm she may race over 400m flat before heading to the British team’s preparation camp.
“I think I’ve definitely got one more race but my hurdles are pretty much set and I’m just really happy with my form,” she noted.
“My Beijing expectations are pretty simple – I just want to be a contender and get in amongst these guys.”
As a partner of British Athletics, Sainsbury’s supports grassroots campaigns such as Active Kids and the Sainsbury’s School Games. For more information visit www.sainsburys.co.uk