TYNEDALE’S Kelly Rodmell made a triumphant return to ultra-multi event competition in the combined World and European Championships in Jyvaskyla, Finland.
After two years out of competition and having struggled with illness for a year, Rodmell faced staunch opposition in the double heptathlon from her old rival Finnish international Maarit Salovirta, who defeated her in the 2002 World Championships.
In a see-saw competition, Rodmell set five personal bests, but it was not until the last four events that she was able to get within striking range of the Finnish athlete.
Going into the penultimate event, the discus, Rodmell trailed by 119 points, but her winning performance left her to face the 3,000 metres, only nine points down.
Rodmell’s main strength is in the middle to long distance, and she put her abilities to good use, soundly defeating Salovirta by 66 points with a score of 8,601, which was only 82 points below her own British record.
