BRITISH number-one female javelin thrower Goldie Sayers celebrated her birthday by winning her fourth successive Amateur Athletic Association title at the Norwich Union European Trials in Manchester on Saturday. The former King s School student, who was 2

BRITISH number-one female javelin thrower Goldie Sayers celebrated her birthday by winning her fourth successive Amateur Athletic Association title at the Norwich Union European Trials in Manchester on Saturday.

The former King's School student, who was 24 on Sunday, confirmed her place on the plane to the European Championships in Gothenburg next month by throwing 58.81 metres, more than eight metres ahead of silver medalist Jo Blair, of Birchfield Harriers.

Sayers suffered a severe bout of bronchitis in May which set back her preparations for the European Championships, and a medical last week showed she is still not fully fit.

Despite this, when she took part in the Aarhus Games in Denmark earlier this month, she achieved the European qualifying mark of 60m with an effort of 60.41m.

Sayers said: "Conditions in Manchester were very good and I was disappointed that I didn't make the most of them, and felt I should have thrown further.

"I am working on some technical adjustments to my run-up because a few centimetres off in the run-up means a few centimetres less in the throw.

"My immune system's taken a bit of a hammering because of the bronchitis so I've had to follow medical advice and adjusted my training programme and my diet so I get back to full fitness as soon as possible.

"But I'll definitely be throwing personal bests before the end of the season."

Sayers' next appearance will be in the London Grand Prix at Crystal Palace on Friday, July 28.