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Jazmin Sawyers believes protecting her body is reaping rewards after cruising into the Commonwealth final.

The Stoke long jumper, 32, leapt a season’s best distance of 6.80m in Glasgow to win her qualifying round and advance to Saturday’s showpiece. This is now Sawyers’ fourth Commonwealth final, having made her debut on the stage in the very same city 12 years ago.

Now with over a decade of experience under her belt, Sawyers knows what is best for her body and has pulled out of several meets this season to prioritise these Games. And she believes those decisions have paid serious dividends after keeping her hopes of a maiden title alive.

“This will be my fourth Commonwealth final, so I’m delighted,” she said. “I’ve pulled out of things this year to try and protect these championships, which I’ve found quite difficult.

“But when I go out and jump 6.80m in qualifying it makes it worth it. I usually really hate pulling out of things – it feels like a cop out.

“But as I’ve matured and got older, 12 years on from my first Commonwealths here in Glasgow, I’ve realised it is really about protecting your body and making sure you’re ready to give your best performance at the most important times.

“I’m healthy, here and ready to go. I’m really pleased - that's definitely my best first three jumps in a competition this year. It just makes me feel very prepared and it bodes well going into the final. It’s a good jump - that's my season’s best, it was windy there and in qualifying, so it feels really good."

Sawyers is one of 251 Team England athletes here in Glasgow, all of whom benefit from crucial National Lottery funding. A veteran of the British athletics circuit, Sawyers won Commonwealth silver on debut in Glasgow and has since gone on to claim silver and bronze on the European stage.

She grabbed European indoor glory in 2023 but that maiden major outdoor title is still eluding her, as she bids to climb to the summit of the podium in Glasgow. The early signs are looking good and Sawyers says she is relishing a scrap in the final.

“I love the fight - and I feel in shape to do that,” she added. “I’m going to be scrapping for that win – I don’t know exactly what it will look like but you’re going to see me go for it.”

Thanks to National Lottery players, more than £33m is raised every week for good causes. It’s because of you that sport, arts, heritage and community projects, as well as our athletes competing at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, are supported across the UK.