15 January 2010

BRITISH hurdler Andy Turner returns to Glasgow for the Aviva International Match on Saturday 30 January hoping to go one better than his second place finish last year.

The 29-year-old lost out to Commonwealth Select athlete Shamar Sands at the Kelvin Hall in 2009, clocking 7.64seconds in the 60m hurdles. He then went on to finish fourth at the European Indoor Championships in Turin.

Turner, who won bronze at the European Championships in 2006, looked in great form going into the outdoor season, registering his fourth national outdoor title and recording the joint fastest time in Europe before injury put paid to his World Championship campaign in Berlin.

Now the Nottingham-born athlete hopes to kick start 2010 with a return to his winning ways – but he’s got a tough test ahead as he lines up in the Aviva Northern Ireland & Great Britain team vest against two former winners of the UKA event.

Shamar Sands, winner a year ago, and America’s Olympic 110m hurdles bronze medallist David Oliver, who was victorious at the Kelvin Hall venue in 2008 are sure to provide stiff competition.

Turner said: “I want 2010 to be a big year for me and the Aviva International Match is a great way to start the season; a good result there would set me up well for the upcoming events so that’s what I’ll be hoping for.

“I know I’ll be up against a high calibre of athletes but that’s a positive rather than negative as it pushes me to compete at a higher standard. Hopefully the crowd will be on side and providing some good support which I know I’ll be getting from my Aviva GB & NI team mates.”

Oliver has won all five of his clashes against Turner indoors, and starts the year as one of the leading sprint hurdlers in the world.

He said: “Last year started out really well for me as I was clocking fast times. Hopefully I can repeat that again this year, starting with a win in Glasgow.

“I ran at the Kelvin Hall two years ago and it’s a great chance to get together as a team and battle it out against the other countries. Hopefully I’ll get a win for the USA.

Injury woes last summer meant he was unable to put himself forward for selection to the US team for the World Championships. Now, as the 2010 season gets underway, the 27-year-old is glad to be back in full fitness again:

“It was really disappointing to miss out on the American Championships and as a result the World Championships last summer, so now I’m just glad to be back fit again. I can’t wait to get out there and prove why I’m one of the best hurdlers in the world.”

Tickets for the Aviva International Match at the Kelvin Hall, Glasgow on Saturday 30th January are available by phone on 08000 556 056 or online at www.uka.org.uk