Marilyn Okoro executed the perfect race at the Sainsbury’s British Championships to win gold and book a ticket to Moscow – and she’s adamant doing so makes up for her individual Olympic miss last summer.

Okoro went head-to-head with Britain’s bright new 800m talent Jessica Judd in Birmingham and, with a 2:00minute World Championship A standard under her belt, simply needed to win the final to guarantee her spot.

And she duly delivered at the Alexander Stadium, executing her tactics to perfection to overhaul Judd on last lap for victory in a time of 2:00.60 – her first national title since 2008.

Finishing strongly had been her downfall in the past but Okoro admits after completing what she set out to achieve in style, she is only getting warmed up this season.

“It was such a massive relief to win and you could see how much it meant to me when I crossed the line,” said Okoro, who was overlooked for the 800m at London 2012 in favour of the slower Lynsey Sharp.

“I have waited five years to win this title again and I am really happy I was able to execute. That has often been my downfall in the past but I really ran that last 100m like I was being chased by dogs as I am quite scared of dogs.

“I had a tough competitor in Jess and I had to bully her a little bit but I really wanted that title and I am so thankful to the year away from last year.

“It really hurt me not running in London and I never want to leave it up to controversy again so I was happy to get the qualifying time and win the title.

“I have always wanted to hear that about my race [executing it perfectly]. I never seem to quite run it right but I wanted to be as safe as possible.”

After losing her funding last autumn Okoro has turned her career around having moved to America to train under coach Johnny Gray and feels a new personal best is within her even at 28.

And she insists with the pressure off at the World Championships she can start to take a few more risks on the track and dare to dream of being among the medals.

“Now it is fun and the pressure is off. I can go into races really trying to take a risk. I might have a couple more races before Moscow with some fast girls and really try and test myself,” she added.

“I feel that second-lap strength is there and I will just keep building and building. My season has really just started so when I go to Moscow the aim is always to make a final and push for a medal so I am really excited.”

Sainsbury’s British Championships is the second event in the Sainsbury’s Summer Series. For more information on Sainsbury’s support of world class athletics and disability sport go to www.sainsburys-live-well-for-less.co.uk/occasions/anniversary-games/.