Hatti building herself up to take on the world in Japan

The 25-year-old Hallamshire Harrier heads for Japan having just shattered her personal best time by a minute and five seconds at the British Grand Prix at Crystal Palace.

Crossing the finish-line in 11th place in a top international field boosted her confidence prior to the World Champion-ships in Osaka later this month.

Dean, the British 3,000m steeplechase record-holder, recalled: "The race went really well but I didn't get in a good position for when the leaders stretched away. I'm really pleased with the time, but I need to work on my tactical racing for Osaka."

Ranked 28th in the world over the barriers, her Crystal Palace appearance was the latest in a long line of eye-catching performances for the Oxford and Sheffield University graduate this season.

Emphatic victories at the Loughborough international, British Miler's Club Manchester Grand Prix and European Cup first-league in Finland, thrust Dean into the limelight. She destroyed the British record on two occasions.

The rate of progression continued, with a third British record in five weeks, as the civil service statistician clocked 9:38.56 with a yet another breathtaking display during the British Grand Prix at Sheffield's Don Valley Stadium.

She ran to a respectable ninth-place finish in the 1500m flat at the World trials and British Championships.

Now poised to attend Great Britain's training camp in Macou, an island off Hong Kong later this week.