Flying High: Morgan Lake soars into World final and has eyes on the podium

Getty Images for British Athletics

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Morgan Lake soared into the final of the women’s high jump at the World Championships in Tokyo this afternoon (Thursday), comfortably clearing the qualifying mark of 1.92m.

She’ll be joined by 15 other competitors from around the world in Sunday’s final where she’ll hope to push for a place on the podium, having shown solid and consistent form over the course of the summer.

With the help of new coach, Yannick Tregaro, the Windsor, Slough, Eton & Hounslow athlete has been getting closer to the world’s elite jumpers of late, and a few weeks ago cleared 2m for the first time in her career.

In clearing that mark in Zurich, she set a new British record and became the first ever British female to clear 2m.

She is one of only five female athletes to have cleared 2m this season and will go into Sunday’s final with real hope and optimism of winning her first medal for Great Britain at a World Championships.

She made her debut at the worlds 10 years ago and has twice finished fourth.

Back in July she also won her first Diamond League event at the London Stadium, clearing 1.99m on that occasion.

With plenty of World Championships experience behind her, she’s also been named Team GB’s captain for the championships.

After cruising into Sunday’s final after what she felt was her ‘best ever qualifying’ Lake said: “My first championships was 10 years ago. I feel like I’m someone with a lot of experience of the highs and lows of these championships.

“It was such an honour to be named team captain, and I feel like I’ve been switched on to everyone’s performances.

“Especially being at the end, you should try and watch everything. Now I’m like half watching, half trying to chill.

“Off the back of the 2m jump a few weeks ago, the confidence is high, and I know that’s where I’m at so I just want to see how high I can jump really on Sunday.

“That’s probably the best qualifying I’ve done at a World Championships. Two jumps to make the final so I’m really happy.”