British duo progress in high jump

25 August - 2 September

Great Britain's Martyn Bernard and Tom Parsons produced personal bests to reach the high jump final at the World Athletics Championships in Japan.

Parsons, who was a last-minute entry in the squad, cleared the qualifying mark of 2.29 metres at his last attempt.

"To jump 2.29m is unbelievable and I am now starting to believe I belong here," said the 23-year-old.

Tasha Danvers-Smith also comfortably advanced to the 400m hurdles semi-finals in 55.67 seconds.

The Commonwealth Games silver medallist was more than a second down on her personal best but did enough to make sure she returns to the track on Tuesday.

American Tiffany Ross-Williams was the fastest qualifier in 54.24, while Australia's former world champion Jana Rawlinson, now married to former British hurdler Chris Rawlinson, also eased through.

The evening session in Osaka gets under way at 1130 BST with a smattering of British interest.

Phillips Idowu carries hopes of a second British medal in the triple jump after easing into the final with a solitary leap of 17.07m on Saturday.

The 27-year-old is recovering from a back injury but is confident he can perform well in a field which is missing injured Olympic champion Christian Olsson.

"If I can stay relaxed then I can come down the runway with blistering speed and get a distance good enough to win it," said Idowu.

There are also semi-finals for Laura Turner (100m), Andy Baddeley (1500m) and the 400m trio of Christine Ohuruogu, Nicola Sanders and Lee McConnell .

Ethiopia's Kenenisa Bekele also races for a third straight 10,000m crown.

UK Athletics performance director Dave Collins selected some athletes for the Worlds based on their potential to perform well at future championships.

Parsons, who found his form with a clearance of 2.27m a week before the team was finalised, proved his credentials in Osaka with a lifetime best performance.

"It's been on the cards for a while so I am just glad I can pull it out on the big occasion," Parsons said.

"I have worked so hard over the winter and knew I just needed to do it. In the final I am again looking to take as many scalps as I can."

Bernard, who took silver at the 2006 Commonwealth Games, also believes he can go further in Wednesday's final.

"My personal best should be a lot higher and I am looking to do that in the final and with a team-mate pushing me along it's going to be great," said the 22-year-old.

The third Briton, Germaine Mason, fell short of the required height after managing only a solitary clearance of 2.19m.

Defending champion Yuiry Kryarenko also failed to go through while Olympic champion Stefan Holm sailed into the final with his second attempt.

Source: BBC Sport