Sporting Digest: Athletics

JUDY OAKES, who came out of a two-year retirement only 10 days ago, has moved to the top of this season's Commonwealth shot putt rankings with a throw of 17.25

metres in a club meeting at Crystal Palace. Oakes, 36, still holds the UK record of 19.36m, set in 1988. She will compete in the Commonwealth Games and European Championships trials at Sheffield later this month, seeking selection for both Victoria and Helsinki.

ROGER BLACK will make his comeback at the AAA Championships in Sheffield next week. The double European 400 metres champion has been out for a year suffering from Epstein Barr virus, an illness similar to glandular fever. Black, 28, will take on Du'aine Ladejo at the Don Valley Stadium, with the winner guaranteed a place at the European Championships in Helsinki in August.