• World Athletics Championships

England claims brilliant silver

ESPN staff
September 1, 2011
Hannah England comes through for silver in the 1500m behind Jennifer Barringer Simpson © Getty Images
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Hannah England produced a stunning sprint finish to claim a brilliant silver medal in the 1500 metres at the World Championships.

England avoided a mid-race skirmish that saw Hellen Onsando Obiri take a tumble, but looked set to finish out of the medals as she was seventh entering the final straight.

However, she angled off the curb and sliced through her rivals to claim a quite stunning silver medal behind USA's Jennifer Barringer Simpson.

After crossing the line in a time of 4:05:68, she had to check with her camp for confirmation that she had in fact taken second.

"I am so excited," England told Channel 4. "I felt there was nothing to lose and was so calm.

"When I hit the home straight, I saw the others tying up and just went for it. I felt good all the way into it.

"It was such a weight off just to make the final. I am so happy to have done it for the girls who are coming through."

The 100 metre champion Carmelita Jeter looks well set to double up in the 200m after breezing into the final. The American finally clicked on the big stage when winning the 100m and she seems to be brimming with confidence, as she surged to victory in her semi-final in 22.47.

Jeter's biggest rival for gold could well be her fellow American Shalonda Solomon who won her semi in 22.46m while Veronica Campbell-Brown claimed the third semi. Britain's Anyika Onuora missed out on the final after finishing seventh in her race.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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