Thompson targets world juniors success in Canada

By David Jordan, Sportsbeat

SHAUNNA Thompson raced with one arm behind her back last year - but after claiming the scalp of Olympic champion Christine Ohuruogu, she has vowed to hog the headlines in 2010.

BOUNCING BACK: Injuries hampered Shaunna Thompson last season but she is adamant 2010 will see her continue her rapid progress

Thompson struggled with an ongoing hamstring injury last year but still managed to make the finals of the 100 and 200m at last year's World Youth Championships.

An injury-free Thompson blew off her early-season cobwebs in spectacular style at the Great Manchester Games on May 16 when she pipped Ohuruogu into second place in the 150m race.

July's World Junior Championships in Canada top the list of priorities for Thompson this year as she bids to build on her semi-final appearance at the 2008 showpiece junior event in Poland.

And with an all-new training regime and a World Juniors dry run under her belt - the 18-year-old Sale Harrier insists she won't be an also-ran in Canada.

"Hopefully this year, now that I am injury free, I can run well and have a good year," said Thompson.

"It was a bit frustrating last year having the injuries but at the same time, when you are injured you learn a lot about yourself.

"This winter has been good for me because I have been doing a lot of longer distances and hill work and that really paid off.

"All I remember from Manchester is that I got a bad start and I was worried I wasn't going to do well.

"The plan for this year is to stay injury free, get a PB and go to the World Juniors.

"There's a lot of girls running fast times and so I know it is going to be hard. To go to World Juniors would be amazing because I went last time and the way I like to work is do a competition first and familiarise myself with them.

"And then the next time I go I mean business - I have already been there once and I know what it is like, so when I go to this one I'll know what to expect."