Jacqui Parker

Jacqueline Parker (born 15 October 1966) is an English female former athlete who competed in the 400 metres hurdles. She represented Great Britain at the World Championships in 1991 and 1993. She won the 1991 UK title and the 1993 AAA Championships title.

Jacqui Parker
Personal information
NationalityEnglish
Born (1966-10-15) 15 October 1966
Sport
SportAthletics

Career

Parker was a member of the Essex Ladies Athletics club (now Woodford Green with Essex Ladies). In 1983, she won the AAAs National Under 17 title in the 400 m hurdles, running 62.37.[1] Her senior breakthrough came in 1990 when she finished second at the AAA Championships in 57.43, behind Gowry Retchakan's 57.14. This performance earned her selection for the European Championships in Split, where she ran 56.84 in her heat to reach the semi-finals. In her semi-final she ran 57.06, failing to reach the final.

Parker won her first senior national title in June 1991, winning the UK Championship title in 57.64.[2] On 24 July, she finished fourth in the final at the 1991 Universiade in Sheffield, in 56.93. Three days later, she again finished second to Gowry Retchakan at the AAAs Championships, running a lifetime best of 56.15 secs to earn World Championship selection. At the 1991 World Championships in Tokyo, she was eliminated in the heats in a disappointing 57.81.[3]

She began the 1992 season by finishing third at the UK Championships behind Retchakan and Louise Fraser, running 56.99. She then narrowly missed Olympic selection by finishing fourth at the AAAs Championships, which incorporated the Olympic trials. With Sally Gunnell (who won the sprint hurdles at the trials) already assured selection, there were two places available in the 400 m hurdles. The race was won by Gowry Retchakan in 55.04, with Australian Gail Luke second in 56.25. The final Olympic place went to Louise Fraser, as she edged out Parker 56.30 - 56.35. Parker was named as an Olympic reserve.

Parker finished second at the 1993 UK Championships in 57.14, behind Gowry Retchakan. She then won the AAAs title with a time of 58.14, earning selection for her second World Championships. At the 1993 World Championships in Stuttgart, she ran 56.93 in her heat to reach the semi-finals, where she was eliminated running 56.68.[4] She then finished second at the 1994 AAAs Championships, once again behind Retchakan, 57.14 - 57.31, to earn selection for the 1994 European Championships in Helsinki. At the Europeans, she was eliminated in the heats with 57.83.[5] A few weeks later, she reached the final at the Commonwealth Games in Victoria, finishing sixth in 56.72.

Competition record

YearCompetitionVenuePositionEventNotes
Representing  Great Britain
1990 European Championships Split, Yugoslavia 13th (sf) 400 m hurdles 57.06 (56.84 in heat)
1991 Universiade Sheffield, United Kingdom 4th 400 m hurdles 56.93
World Championships Tokyo, Japan 23rd (h) 400 m hurdles 57.81
1993 World Indoor Championships Toronto, Canada 18th (h) 800 m 2:09.99
World Championships Stuttgart, Germany 23rd (sf) 400 m hurdles 56.68
1994 European Championships Helsinki, Finland 19th (h) 400 m hurdles 57.83
Representing  England
1994 Commonwealth Games Victoria, Canada 6th 400 m hurdles 56.72
National Championships
1990 AAA Championships Birmingham, England 2nd 400 m hurdles 57.43
1991 UK Championships Cardiff, Wales 1st 400 m hurdles 57.64
AAA Championships Birmingham, England 2nd 400 m hurdles 56.15
1992 UK Championships Sheffield, England 3rd 400 m hurdles 56.99
AAA Championships Birmingham, England 4th 400 m hurdles 56.35
1993 UK Championships London, England 2nd 400 m hurdles 57.14
AAA Championships Birmingham, England 1st 400 m hurdles 58.14
1994 AAA Championships Sheffield, England 2nd 400 m hurdles 57.31
(#) indicates overall position in qualifying heats (h) or semifinals (sf).

References

  1. "AAAS Junior Championships (women)". GBR Athletics. Retrieved 28 August 2014.
  2. "UK Championships". GBR Athletics. Retrieved 28 August 2014.
  3. "Women 400 m hurdles World Championship 1991". Todor 66. Retrieved 28 August 2014.
  4. "Women 400 m hurdles World Championship 1993". Todor 66. Retrieved 28 August 2014.
  5. "Women 400 m hurdles European Championship 1994". Todor 66. Retrieved 28 August 2014.
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