Final place for Chorley's Leonard

12:52pm Thursday 10th July 2008

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Chorley's Alison Leonard stormed into tomorrow’s 800m final as the fastest qualifier after a highly impressive run at the World Junior Championships in Poland yesterday.

The 18-year-old Blackburn Harrier won the third and final semi-final in a time of 2.04.47 minutes, with Kenya’s Winny Chebet a distant second and Amina Bakhit of Sudan back in third.

Leonard is now on course to make history and become the first British female to medal at a World Junior event with the previous best fourth place set by Jemma Simpson in 2002 and Lynne Robinson in 1988.

“I'm pleased with that," said Leonard. “There's plenty more to come and now it’s just all about preparing.”

Meanwhile, Dame Kelly Holmes, who has been acting as a mentor for Leonard after picking the Chorley star on her ‘On Camp with Kelly’ middle distance initiative, is backing the teenager to shine in Poland.

Dame Kelly, who landed double Athens Olympic gold in the 800m and 1500m, is convinced Leonard has all the ingredients to deliver this week. “Alison has got an excellent chance of medalling in Poland," said Dame Kelly. “I'm not a coach but I believe in mentoring and educating these youngsters and them getting the best out of themselves while learning what it takes to be successful.

“I'm in Poland to support Alison 100 per cent and I'm really looking forward to the whole experience. She is a star in the making."

Elsewhere, fellow Blackburn Harrier Sophie Hitchon missed out on an early 17th birthday present as she finished seventh in the final of the hammer.

Hitchon, who will turn 17 on Friday, could only manage a best effort of 58.45m - over a metre shy of the personal best she set in Germany earlier this year which would have put her in the frame for a place on the podium.

“I’m really pleased with my performance,” said Hitchon – who has a PB of 60.73m. “My aim was to get to the final and get in the top eight, and I did that. I only wish I could have gone one better but I’m pleased overall.”

The Lloyds TSB Local Heroes initiative supports Britain's young sporting hopefuls on their journey to London 2012. For more information please visit www.lloydstsblondon2012.co.uk/Local_Heroes