Jana Pittman winning in Brisbane (© Getty Images)
Australia's 2003 World 400m Hurdles champion Jana Rawlinson (nee Pittman) made an impressive return to competition with a double victory to highlight the European Champion Clubs Cup in Albuferia, Portugal over the weekend.
Within the space of an hour on Saturday (26), the 24-year-old won her specialty in 55.52 before doubling back to win the 400 in 51.94. The outing was her first individual competition since capturing gold in the 400m Hurdles at the Commonwealth Games in March 2006. Since then, she married Britain's 2002 Commonwealth 400m Hurdles champion Chris Rawlinson and gave birth to their first child, Cornelis, last December.
"To run two good races so close to each other is very, very encouraging," said Rawlinson, who competed for the Greek club Pannellinios AC. "I did not know what to expect as it has been a long time since I raced on the track. I ran a very good opening 300m in the hurdles but stuttered a bit when I came into the wind in the home straight."
"To come back and win the 400m less than an hour later shows that my strength is very good," Rawlinson continued. "With a few more races I will get sharper and bring the times down. I am looking forward to getting back into the top level competitions."
Other highlights of the two-day meeting included Tatyana Kotova's 7.10 (w +2.8) victory in the women's Long Jump on Sunday (27), Russian Aleksandr Ivanov's 85.75 effort to win the Javelin Throw, Czech Barbora Spotakova's 65.19 in the women's javelin, and Francis Obikwelu's sprint double (10.23/20.93).
In the women's 3000m, Kenyan Vivian Cheruiyot upset Turkey's Elvan Abeylegesse, winning by more than three seconds in 9:06.14. Abeylegesse, the former World record holder in the 5000m, clocked 9:09.45. Cheruiyot also won a tactical contest in the 1500m.
Luch Moscow swept the team titles, the men tallying 110 points to beat Sporting Portugal and Puma Chapin Jerez (both with 84 points), while the women's side totalled 104 points, just four ahead of Valencia C.A. Terra I Mar. Turkey's Enka Sports Club was third with 85 points.
Bob Ramsak for the IAAF
