Ohuruogu is keen to make a statement to the world

13 April 2012

Christine Ohuruogu plans to lay down a marker to her global 400metre rivals at the UK Trials and Championships, which start in Birmingham tonight.

The 27-year-old has suffered an injury-plagued past two seasons but clocked the 'A' qualifying standard for next month's World Championships with a run of 51.49sec in Barcelona last week.

As it stands, it ranks her 33rd in the world this year over the distance in which she won Olympic gold in 2008, the last time she ran under 50 seconds.

She said: "First and foremost I'm looking forward to qualifying for the worlds. I know I set the qualifying time in Barcelona but I'm keen to build on that by recording a really good time and cementing myself in the side."

Ohuruogu competes in the 400m heats tonight with her final tomorrow. The top two in each event at the Alexander Stadium will qualify for the Daegu championships providing they reach the 'A' standard.

Rhys Williams hopes to achieve that thanks to some expert advice from Kevin Young, the 400m hurdles world record holder.

Young set a landmark time of 46.78sec on his way to winning Olympic gold in Barcelona in 1992 and recently spent a day with the Welsh hurdler in France.

"That has been one the highlights of the season," said Williams, who won silver at the European Championships behind compatriot Dai Greene in Barcelona last year.

"Kevin was a brilliant and humble guy, such a contrast to some athletes you meet. I got some good training sets from him and it was good to learn from the best."

With Greene taking one of the 400m hurdles places in the squad, Williams is vying with Jack Green and Nathan Woodward, who were one-two in the European Under-23 Championships, for a spot.

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