Shaftesbury Barnet Harriers' Emily Newnham has every reason to believe that she can win a medal for Team England at the 2006 Commonwealth Games 400m hurdles event that begins Wednesday (July 29) at Scotstoun Stadium, Glasgow.
The 22-year-old recorded a personal best of 50.32 secs during her victory in the domestic women's 400m event at the Novuna London Athletics Diamond League Meet last Saturday at West Ham United FC's London Stadium.
Fellow clubmate and also Glasgow Commonwealth Games-bound Lina Nielsen came second and also posted a PB of 50.61, while Scotland-based Pitreavie AC's Nicole Leargin claimed third (50.98).
Newnham, who claimed her maiden women's domestic 400m hurdles title in Birmingham last fortnight, rarely competes in the full lap flat distance but believes it was useful for her Commonwealth Games preparations.
"I was pleased with the PB and it was nice not to have 10 barriers to jump over for once," she said.
"But hurdles is where my heart is. Over the years its been a bit like having better at the 400m flats but may be more at the hurdles, out hurdles are my passion so they are not going anymore.”
The Jamaican trio of defending champion Janieve Russell, Shiann Salmon, and Rushell Clayton, along with Canada's Savannah Sutherland, are all touted to get gold but Newnham believes she can be in that mix.
"I've had a really really good winter and a really good training camp just before my outdoor season started so I'm in the best shape I'm in," she added. "I just need to believe in myself and going out there and doing it."
Also at the London Stadium, Glasgow 2026-bound Zharna! Hughes ran 10.02 for seventh in the men's 100m, which was won by Nigeria's Kayinsola Ajayi (9.84).
Share