Greg Rutherford leaps into contention for Rio defence
By PA Sport
Last Updated: 20/05/16 9:53pm
Greg Rutherford continued his fine start to the Olympic year with a Great CityGames record 8.20 metre leap to win the long jump competition in Manchester on Friday.
Rutherford pronounced himself satisfied with his performance, having only flown in from his training camp in Arizona three days ago, and believes it bodes well for the defence of his Olympic title in Rio.
Rutherford said: "I've never opened a season like this before, even an Olympic year. I've started well but nothing like this - I feel good and consistency is key to winning medals.
"Ultimately I want to be setting myself up for a good Olympics - not many people have managed to retain their title and I'm hoping I can go and do that.
"I've always loved the big stage and since 2012, I've had this confidence and ability that I can go out there. I will walk into the Olympic Stadium full of determination to do it again."
But British sprint pair CJ Ujah and Richard Kilty were left trailing by 40-year-old Kim Collins, who won the 100m title in a field which also included 2016 world indoor 60m champion Trayvon Bromell.
Ujah and Kilty will now head straight to the Loughborough International meeting this weekend, where they will take part in trials for the 4x100m relay team in Rio.
Ujah needs no reminding about Great Britain's parlous recent history in the event, having messed up the final change-over at last year's World Championships after being controversially parachuted into the team.
The decision drew scathing criticism from Ujah's team-mates, including Kilty, but Ujah insisted the relay demons had been exorcised ahead of the competitive bid to seal a place in the team for the build-up to Rio.
Ujah said: "We sat down and spoke in January and we've come back in May and we're all settled, it's all sweet.
"When we come up against each other, we put the relay stuff aside, and even if we're all in each other's faces, it's nothing personal. We won't take it personally and we'll move on from there.
"I wouldn't say I want them (100m rivals) to fail, I want everyone to perform and hopefully I'll be at my best to perform, to know that I've been the better man on the day."
Another relay prospect, Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, stormed to victory in the rarely-contested 150m with a wind-assisted time of 15.1 seconds, while Tiffany Porter triumphed in the women's 100m hurdles in 12.89secs.
