Jessica Rothwell has her sights on Delhi after a strong performance at last weekend’s World Race Walking Cup in Mexico.

The 20-year-old finished ninth in the women’s 20km walk, her first top-10 finish at senior international level, stopping the clock at 1:35.04.But strangely, despite being the first woman from a Commonwealth nation to cross the line, Rothwell is not yet part of the Australian track-and-field squad for the Commonwealth Games.

The latest race was her first competitive appearance of 2010 after she missed the domestic season with a torn hamstring.But Rothwell said she was back on track after a quick recovery.

The top-10 finish in Chihuahua exceeded both her and her coach Simon Baker’s expectations.

“Simon and I were aiming for top 16 and thought top 12 would be pretty cool, so to finish in the top 10 was fantastic, I was rapt,” Rothwell said. “Four months ago I tore my hamstring and unfortunately missed our domestic season and some quality preparation.“Things finally started feeling normal in the last two weeks.”

Rothwell will compete in the Race Walking Grand Prix in Spain next month where she will be hoping to set the elusive A-qualifying time for the Commonwealth Games. “I believe I can achieve the A-standard, particularly competing at sea level and having more racing and training,” she said.

Rothwell is training in Leeds with the United Kingdom’s race walking squad alongside fellow Australian Cheryl Webb.“When I return home we’ll commence base training and sort a few biomechanical and technical things out,” she said.

via Brunswick’s Rothwell eyes Delhi – Athletics – Sport | Moreland Leader.