Bianca Walkden secured Great Britain’s first-ever senior President’s Cup gold medal in Bonn, while Helen Jenkins took victory in the Gold Coast World Cup. Here’s our round up of the last 24 hours.
Bianca Walkden showed her intent for the summer ahead after winning Great Britain’s first-ever senior President’s Cup gold medal in Bonn.
Walkden, who is aiming to gain selection for Team GB’s heavyweight spot at the Olympic Games in Rio, was in impressive form on the way to the +73kg title.
She dropped only three points in her four contests after receiving a first round bye and beat Serbia’s Ana Bajic in the final.
“I felt like I was in control throughout the competition and the final,” said Walkden, who returns to Europe in a fortnight for the German Open in Hamburg.
“But it was quite hard to score on the new system. It’s difficult to go high because the sensors have changed.
“But overall I did well. This is all about preparation for the Olympics. Hopefully, I can keep it going and keep a winning streak on until Rio.”
Helen Jenkins strengthened her claim to be selected for this summer’s Olympic Games in Rio after taking victory at the ITU Triathlon World Cup on the Gold Coast.
British teammate Jodie Stimpson had won the season-opening World Cup in Abu Dhabi last month but it was roles reversed this time around as Jenkins won her first World Triathlon Series race since 2012 in 1:56.03 hours.
“I can’t quite believe it,” said Jenkins, who now leads the World Triathlon Series with Stimpson in third.
“I got to the run and just went for it. But the whole time I was waiting for Gwen, you can never underestimate how quick Gwen’s running is.”
Meanwhile in the men’s event, Jonathan Brownlee began his 2016 season with a bronze medal despite the intense heat conditions. Read more here.
England pulled off a shock 21-14 win against South Africa on the first day of the World Rugby Sevens Series in Hong Kong.
Phil Burgess opened the scoring for England, before the restart bounced into the arms of Dan Norton, allowing him to double the lead and score his 196th try of the series.
South Africa pulled a try back before half-time through Seabelo Senatla, but it wasn't long until England's lead was extended through a penalty try before South Africa picked up a try late on.
Elsewhere on Friday's opening day, Wales beat Korea 40-14 while Scotland overcame Russia 28-15.
Great Britain Sevens will compete in a series of international tournaments to warm up for this summer's Olympic Games in Rio.
The men's programme will include the Rugby Europe Sevens Series events in Moscow (4-5 June), Exeter (9-10 July) and Gdynia (16-17 July) as well as Sevens and the City at Allianz Park (2 July), with two teams being entered in each event.
The women will compete in the Rugby Europe Event in Kazan (11-12 June), entering two teams, and an invitational tournament in Tignes (14-16 July) as they look to build further on the experience of GB Select playing in Dubai, Las Vegas and Vancouver where they finished first, second and third respectively.
Men's head coach Simon Amor said: "It is a condensed programme as a result of a number of unique challenges but everyone involved is determined to give it everything for Team GB to be successful in Rio.” Read more here.
Nicola Adams insists the carrot of making further history is what is driving her on at the forthcoming European Olympic qualifiers in Samsun.
Great Britain have sent 13 athletes to Turkey with multiple qualification places for Rio on offer for both men and women – although for the women there is another chance to qualify at the World Championships in Astana, Kazakhstan in May.
And Adams, who could bag a hat-trick of titles this year, is intent on sorting out her summer plans early on.
"I want to do it first time round, I don't want to mess about,” she told BBC Sport.
"I want to qualify at the Europeans next week. To think that I could be European, World and Olympic champion in the same year is absolutely epic.
"It's that little piece of history that is my motivation."
Rumours of retirement floated around Kat Driscoll following London 2012, but as she pushes for selection to compete in Rio this summer, the trampoline gymnast admits the added pressure is proving to be the perfect motivation.
With two trampoline places up for grabs, Driscoll is working harder than ever to ensure she is in the best shape of her career come the summer.
“After London, a lot of people expected me to retire or not be able to keep up as I turned 30 this year, or that maybe other gymnasts would come through,” she told British Gymnastics.
“I guess that was a big motivation for me, to prove people wrong.” Read more here.
Sportsbeat 2016