Jessica Judd hits the track!

Judd, 18, stunned athletics last month when she beat Russian favourite Ekaterina Sharmina on her full international debut at the European Team Championships in Gateshead. She clocked 1 min 59.85sec at the Diamond League in Birmingham, within the qualifying standard for the World Championships which kick off in Moscow on August 10. Her rise to prominence comes just months after she teamed up with former 800m runner Rob Denmark for coaching sessions — following a meeting in McDonalds near the Canvey Island home they both share.

"I didn’t want to get too ahead of myself so kept my expectation low." Judd said. "I thought I could run under two minutes because I’ve been close before but I never thought I’d be in this position.”

Judd is back at the Alexander Stadium in Birmingham again for this weekend’s trials with a top-two finish guaranteeing her a place for Moscow.

Read more at: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/5009878/Jessica-Judd-to-race-over-800m-at-World-Championship-trials-tonight.html

by Tan Chia Jee