HERTS PHOENIX ATHLETICS CLUB hammer star Nicola Dudman is going to the Junior World Championships in Kingston, Jamaica next month, after blasting her way past the qualifying distance and improving her personal best by an astounding 3.09m at the same time.

She achieved the feat at the Commonwealth Games Trials in Manchester on Sunday, June 16, after two previous throws of little more than 51m and 52m respectively had set her up for early elimination from the competition.

"I was lying tenth or 11th (after two throws) and it didn't look like I was going to get into the top eight to get through to the next round," she said.

Knowing the National Championships in Bedford in two weeks time would be her final chance to make the 55m qualifying distance, the pressure should have been steeped on Dudman ahead of her third, and possible final throw. Instead, it worked the other way.

"I had nothing to lose and walked into the circle relaxed and with a clear head.

"I've been concentrating too much on getting the distance and that doesn't work for me. I do much better when I'm not thinking at all."

What she did next astounded even her watching coach, Alan Bertam.

A fluid action sent the hammer a staggering 57.63m, shattering her personal best and making certain her place in the British Junior team.

Further, although she was hardly concerned, it has also earned her a place among the list of Commonwealth Games possibles.

"I'm not even worried about that," she said. "There'll be other Commonwealth Games for me, but this is my last chance at the Junior Worlds."

A repeat performance in the Caribbean would probably secure a medal, but the 18-year-old's sights are set rather on the 58m-mark and the British Under-20's record.

She flies west on July 10, contemplating what she might achieve once she commits fully to the potentially explosive four-turn technique.

Dudman converted to the four-turn rotation during the winter, on a warm-weather training camp in South Africa, but feels the move came too late in the season for her to feel comfortable with the transistion in competition.

She elected to revert to the tried and tested three-turn rotation a few competitions ago, a move which has clearly paid off.

The World Youth Championships runs from Tuesday, July 16th to Saturday, 20th.

June 20, 2002 16:30