Double wins for Jana Rawlinson on comeback
Albuferia, Portugal, 26th May 2007 - Australia’s 2003 World 400mH Champion Jana Rawlinson (nee Pittman) made an excellent return to competition with double victories in the 400m and 400mH in the European Champion Clubs Cup in Albuferia, Portugal, less than 6 months after the birth of her son Cornelis.
In a space of an hour the 24 year old, competing for Greek club Pannellinios AC, won her speciality hurdles event in 55.52 secs before coming back to win the 400m out of lane 2 in a time of 51.94 secs. Jana’s last individual race on the track was her gold medal winning performance in the Commonwealth Games 400mH in Melbourne. Since then she got married to 2002 Commonwealth 400mH Champion Chris Rawlinson and gave birth to a son on 14th December 2006.
After the race the Australian star was delighted with her comeback, “To run two good races so close to each other is very, very encouraging. I did not know what to expect as it has been a long time since I raced on the track. I ran a very good opening 300m in the hurdles but stuttered a bit when I came into the wind in the home straight. To come back and win the 400m less than an hour later shows that my strength is very good. With a few more races I will get sharper and bring the times down. I am looking forward to getting back into the top level competitions.”