HOLLY Bleasdale is back with a bang!

In her first competition in 16 months the Blackburn Harriers member, 23, powered to women’s pole vault gold at the Welsh Championships in rain-hit Cardiff on Sunday.

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And not only was her 4.50m vault an all-comers record at the annual event, it was also enough to secure her place at the World Championships in Beijing in August.

Former European indoor champion Bleasdale, who is now competing under her married name of Bradshaw, said: “I was feeling very nervous ahead of the Welsh Championships this weekend but deep down I was super excited to compete after so long.

“I’d been counting down the days to the competition and the day before the meet I had the biggest smile on my face because I knew I got to compete the next day.

“Training has been going well so my main focuses for the competition were to replicate what technical things we’ve been working on.

“As soon as I got out to the competition area, all my nerves went. It was like I remembered what I had to do and I felt like it was where I belonged.

“Although it was raining and a little bleak, I loved every minute. I didn’t care about anything other than picking up my pole and doing what I love.

“When I cleared 4.35, and then 4.50m first time, I felt so happy. To get the Beijing qualification mark on my opening competition was a dream come true.

“In my head anything could have happened on Sunday but as long as I compete, have fun and stay healthy then it’s a massive result.”

Bleasdale, who will be in action at the British Championships in Birmingham this weekend, added: “All my focus points towards being at the top of my game at the Rio Olympics next year.”

Fellow Blackburn Harriers member Joe Pearse finished fourth in the men’s high jump with a clearance of 1.95m.