In this evening’s session at the IAAF World Junior Championships in Bydgoszcz, Matthew Treston (coach: Adrian Brown) and James Weaver (Laura Turner-Alleyne) finished second in their respective 110m Hurdles semi-finals taking them through to Thursday’s final.
In the first heat, Treston celebrated his 18th birthday in style, dipping low in a very close finish to secure that automatic qualification in 13.70 (+0.1m/s).
He said: “It was a really scrappy race. I am surprised the time wasn’t quicker but everyone had the same trouble with the morning race and then the evening race the same day. I am happy to get through, the time is irrelevant. I just wanted to ensure I got an automatic place in that final. It is a tough competition but I know I can run fast. I just need to get it out of me. I’m starting to find my rhythm here and if I execute well in the final I am sure I can run fast.”
Weaver, currently third in the world this year following his 13.33 in Mannheim, ran an excellent race finishing in 13.40 (-0.1) in a fast second heat.
Delighted with his performance, he commented: “That was so much better than my heat. I was rusty in my heat as I hadn’t raced recently. I have really blown the cobwebs away now and I am really looking forward to tomorrow and getting amongst the medals.”
Rechmial Miller (Ryan Freckleton) was looking to build on his bronze medal at last year’s IAAF World Youth Championships in the final of the 100m final after qualifying earlier in the evening. Sadly he suffered from cramp after making an excellent start and finished in eighth place.
Miller reflected: “It was the best start I have had in this competition but my leg went and I couldn’t put it down. I knew I was in the mix and had the speed but it wasn’t meant to be today.”
Earlier in the semi-finals there was heartbreak for Oliver Bromby (Sara MacDonald-Gray) who despite running a new personal best of 10.37 (+0.2) did not progress to the final, missing out by just one-hundredth of a second from Miller who secured the last qualifying place.
Women’s team captain, Imani Lansiquot (coach: Jonas Tawiah-Dodoo) led by example this morning smashing her personal best as she won her 100m heat in 11.17 at the IAAF World Junior Championships in Bydgoszcz.
After the race, a delighted Lansiquot said “I wasn’t really looking for a PB at the Champs so I am so pleased. I am relaxed and very focused on myself. I think my start could be improved so I know there is a lot more to come. It is just about working on my mental performance now, staying consistent and controlled and then we will see what I can do in the next round. . Every race is a learning curve. This season has been all about accomplishment and I hope I can end it on a high at these Championships.”
Hannah Brier (Neal Merry) also comfortably made it through finishing second in her heat in 11.63.
Swansea AC’s Brier commented “The main thing was to get through. I haven’t raced since the trials so to have a good start and get through the rounds makes me really happy. I slightly eased up at the end as I knew I was through so wanted to save some for the semis.”
The semi-finals and final of the women’s 100m take place tomorrow evening.
In the high jump, Team Bath athlete, Tom Gale (Denis Doyle) cleared 2.16m to progress to Friday’s final.
Gale was very excited to progress, saying: “I am now in the final with the best guys in the world. Last year I didn’t even think I’d get to English Schools, I’m so happy. It is not a win yet but I’m in there with the best and I think I can get 2.20m or 2.24m and get a medal. I just need to catch it on the right day.”
Unfortunately Rory Dwyer (Fuzz Caan) had three failures at 2.13m and did not progress.
In the 400m semi-finals Hannah Williams (Colin Gaynor) finished agonisingly close to qualifying for the final but just missed out despite running a new personal best of 52.80.
After the race she said “I found it surprisingly good. I thought I’d be a bit tired from yesterday but I felt really controlled and relaxed. I am very pleased with a PB.”
Also in the 400m, Lily Beckford (Linford Christie) finished seventh in her semi-final in 54.88, tiring over the final hundred metres.
A disappointed Beckford said, “I am gutted. I thought I had a chance and could get a PB. I saw Hannah [Williams] in the race before me run 52.8 and our PBs aren’t too far apart so I thought if she could do it I could do it. But I gave it my all.”
Earlier the men’s 400m heats saw Guernsey athlete, Cameron Chalmers (Daniel Cossins) progress to Thursday’s semi-final. He finished third in his heat in 46.91 to secure an automatic semi-final place.
Chalmers was pleased to progress and said “I have run consistently recently with this being my fourth or fifth race within one-hundredth of a second 46.8, 46.9. I really want to make that little jump up and hope I can get that tomorrow. It was hot but good conditions and I tried to stay relaxed and work that top bend.”
In the 400m Hurdles, Chelsea Walker (Rick Betts) struck a hurdle and fell on the backstraight so unfortunately did not progress.
Follow the IAAF World Junior Championships via https://www.iaaf.org/competitions/iaaf-world-u20-championships/iaaf-world-u20-championships-bydgoszcz-2016-5680/live and on Eurosport 2.
