• British Athletics European Trials

Grabarz adds UK indoor title to Olympic bronze

Robbie Grabarz attempted the British record © PA Photos

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Robbie Grabarz, Nigel Levine and Yamile Aldama were three of the more notable winners during Sunday's action at the British Athletics European Trials.

Grabarz, the Olympic high jump bronze medallist, claimed the national indoor title with a leap of 2.31m, narrowly failing in later attempts to break the British record of 2.39m.

"I've never had the indoor title so that was my target today and then come in and try to get the world lead," Grabarz said. "It wasn't too bad but I was just running too fast so it was the same story as always. It was only my second competition so to be jumping that high is pretty good.

"I'm ready to try and break the record. I've been training hard, I've not done too many competitions indoors so I know that when I come out I'm ready to go and today showed that."

All eyes are on the European Indoor Championships in Gothenburg, which take place next month, and Grabarz was not the only Brit to display strong form as he fended off Italy's Marco Fassinotti and Allan Smith.

Levine emerged victorious from arguably the most intriguing race of the day in the men's 400m, seeing off the attentions of Richard Strachan and Michael Bingham in a time of 46.73s. That time registered a season's best for Levine.

"I was just running," he said. "I don't feel in that much kind of a shape but it is what it is. I'm happy to get another national title, my third time."

Aldama was in cruise control as she retained her national indoor triple jump title, registering a leap of 13.44m. Following her disappointing fifth-place finish at London 2012 the reigning world indoor champion looked comfortable ahead of the European Championships.

"It feels good to defend the title," Aldama said. "Winning is always good. I wasn't happy with the distance, but I'm coming back slowly after the surgery that I had at the end of September. I think I will be fully fit for Gothenburg. All that matters there is that you deliver on the day."

Christine Ohuruogu was edged out by Margaret Adeoye in the 200m, which was won in a time of 23.22s.

Elsewhere, Eilidh Child earned a maiden UK indoor title in the 400m, clocking a time of 52.13. "I'm over the moon, I just wanted to win it. I've had so many silvers at UK Championships before so it's great to finally get a gold," Child said.

Other winners on the day included Laura Muir and Matthew Fayers in the 1500m, Claire Tarplee and Joe Thomas in the 800m, and Steve Lewis in the pole vault.

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