Rio-bound Jazmin Sawyers soars to long jump silver at European Championships in Amsterdam
University of Bath-based athlete Jazmin Sawyers leapt further than ever before to win long jump silver at the European Championships in Amsterdam on Friday.
The 22-year-old’s wind-assisted leap of 6.86m was 11cm further than the previous best she set last month while winning the British Championships to qualify for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
“I’m so happy – my first European senior champs and a silver medal!” said Sawyers, who had previously won silver at both European Junior and U23 level.
“I’m really proud with that performance. It might have been windy but I coped with it – it was mental, it was all over the place but I managed to get a few solid jumps on that and I’ve broken my ‘jumping horribly in the first three rounds’ duck.
“I’ve managed to get some consistency in there and produce things before rounds four, five and six. The goal has been consistency and if I can combine consistency with excellence then I’ve got something really great.”
Fellow University of Bath-based athletes Andrew Pozzi and Dave King, coached by Malcolm Arnold and James Hillier respectively, safely progressed through their 110m hurdles heats on Friday. They are in opposing semi-finals on Saturday afternoon, hoping to reach the final later that evening.
Emily Diamond and Eilidh Doyle will both compete in the women’s 4x400m relay on Sunday, scheduled for 5.40pm BST.
