Hurdler Catherine Holdsworth put her best foot forward and achieved a personal best to boost her chances of qualifying for the World Junior Championships.

The 18-year-old, competing for Colchester Harriers, completed the feat while taking part in the Invitation International at Loughborough.

She set a time of 14.17 seconds to win a close race in the 100m hurdles, having been invited to the prestigious event by the hurdles squad manager of Great Britain.

Athletes were asked along to give them a chance of qualifying for the World Junior Championships and the Commonwealth Youth Games.

And, although Holdsworth ran under the Commonwealth qualification time of 14.3s, only one athlete can go and she is not ranked number one.

She said: "I thought I had run quicker because when I finished the clock stopped on 14s.

"I did want to run faster but I am happy with a personal best. I would like to go under 14 seconds."

She would love to go to the World Championships in November but admits the required time of 13.75s will be hard to get.

The Colchester girl represented Great Britain when she took part in an indoor pentathlon in February and last year did the 100m hurdles at the European Youth Olympics.

Published Friday June 11, 2004

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