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Lewis makes solid start
Estonia, July 06: Denise Lewis made a good start in her first competitive heptathlon for three years as Great Britain moved into first place in the Spar European Cup of combined events in Estonia.
Estonia, July 06: Denise Lewis made a good start in her first competitive heptathlon for three years as Great Britain moved into first place in the Spar European Cup of combined events in Estonia.
Lewis was in second place, 264 points behind Sweden's European champion Carolina Kluft, after a solid display.
Having run a slightly disappointing 13.80 seconds in the opening 100m hurdles, the Olympic champion cleared a creditable 1.74 metres in the high jump and threw a fine 15.54m in the shot.
She finished day one with a time of 25.39secs in the 200m to help Great Britain claim the overnight lead with 10,759 points.
That gave them a healthy lead over second-placed Holland (10,551 points) and third-placed Finland (10,256) as they bid to regain their Super League place.
Lewis ended the day on 3,658 points, slightly short of her target of 3,700, but was gaining confidence with each discipline.
Frank Dick, who has been coaching the 30-year-old Midlander since last November, said he thought there was more to come from Lewis.
"I've never seen an athlete who has been away from top class action as Denise has for the last three years, show so much determination," he said.
"She may be slightly down on the score we anticipated but I'm sure, in the final three events tomorrow, she will come back.
"Obviously in our estimation of the overall score we left room for any setbacks."
Lewis is aiming to achieve the World Championship qualifying standard of 6105 points to ensure her selection for the Great Britain team for next month's World Championships in Paris.
Bureau Report
She finished day one with a time of 25.39secs in the 200m to help Great Britain claim the overnight lead with 10,759 points.
That gave them a healthy lead over second-placed Holland (10,551 points) and third-placed Finland (10,256) as they bid to regain their Super League place.
Lewis ended the day on 3,658 points, slightly short of her target of 3,700, but was gaining confidence with each discipline.
Frank Dick, who has been coaching the 30-year-old Midlander since last November, said he thought there was more to come from Lewis.
"I've never seen an athlete who has been away from top class action as Denise has for the last three years, show so much determination," he said.
"She may be slightly down on the score we anticipated but I'm sure, in the final three events tomorrow, she will come back.
"Obviously in our estimation of the overall score we left room for any setbacks."
Lewis is aiming to achieve the World Championship qualifying standard of 6105 points to ensure her selection for the Great Britain team for next month's World Championships in Paris.
Bureau Report