Athletics: Mixed fortunes though Twell and Ohuruogu show some early promise

THERE were contrasting fortunes for the three British athletes involved in Friday night's inaugural IAAF Diamond League meeting in Doha.

The first of the 14-meeting series, which offers a total of around 4 million in prize money, was a success for Scotland's Steph Twell, who took the scalp of double reigning world champion Maryam Yusuf Jamal of Bahrain as she finished eighth in the 1,500 metres in 4:06.10.

"I'm really happy with that, my first race out," said the 20-year-old. "I ran fast, it's a qualifying time for the European Championships (in Barcelona in July]."

Christine Ohuruogu was pleased with her run of 50.88 seconds in the 400 metres in her first serious outing of the season, which placed her fifth. But there was disappointment for Michael Rimmer in the 800m, his time of 1:45.96 placing him sixth. "It's not a true reflection of my shape, so it's a bit disappointing," he said.

Ohuruogu, meanwhile, is upbeat about her chances of beating Jessica Ennis when the golden girls of British athletics clash at the Powerade City Games in Manchester today.

Ohuruogu has flown directly from Doha and is now readying herself for an eagerly-awaited head-to-head 150m clash with Ennis, the world heptathlon gold medallist in an innovative street race in Deansgate.

Ohuruogu holds the UK best performance for the distance of 16.94 seconds.

"I will try to run my best in Manchester and if the record comes again I will be happy," she said. Ohuruogu, who celebrates her 26th birthday tomorrow, should have a slight advantage as running 150m on a straight track needs a different style of approach and concentration than in a bend race.

Ennis, the world heptathlon champion, has already admitted the new scenario will be very experimental on her debut, although coach Toni Minichiello has allowed her a few run-outs – albeit around a bend.

Ohuruogu said: "Jessica is a fantastic athlete and has great speed. I have a faster personal best over 200m. But 150m is shorter, so it is going to be an interesting clash."

She admitted of the straightway concept: "It was easier the second time as we knew what to expect. We do not normally run 150m in a straight line so it is good to be familiar with both the track and the distance. Last year the event in Manchester was very exciting. It was something new, the crowd were very close to the action and it was a very enjoyable experience."