31 August 2007

Women’s 20km walk

Jo Jackson (Redcar WC) braved the elements to finish 25th in the women’s 20km walk in a time of 1:39.34.

With the walk starting at 8am to avoid soaring temperatures and humity, Jackson had to deal with sun, wind and downpours on the course around the Nagai Stadium.

"I have thought a lot about the weather conditions before the race, but the weather turned out to be very varied. One minute it was sunny, then it was pouring down with rain. All in the all the weather was a lot better than it could have been.

"I got two cards in the first half of the race so in the second half I had to be very careful when usually I’d be looking to push it on. The cards were probably because of a little lack of concentration and fatigue.

"Coming here was never in my plans for the season, but I have learned a lot being here – especially about preparation – which will be usuful for next year."

Women’s 1500m

George Gandy-coached, Loughborough-based duo Abby Westley (Hallamshire Harriers) and Lisa Dobriskey (Ashford AC) both failed to qualify for the final, despite brave efforts in their semis.

In a slow tactical race, Westley clocked 4:16.21 for 8th in eighth place in the first semi-final, won in 4:14.86. In a torrid second semi, Dobriskey lost her left shoe with 600m to go, after she was clipped from behind by Treniere Clement (USA).  She battled on to eventually finish 10th in 4:08.39.

20-year-old Westley sid “I think if I had been a little more contact when it kicked off, I would have stood a better chance. I did try my best to be in that position, but with the kind of girls you race against here, they’re class athletes and they’re not going to give you an inch.

But this is where I want to be. It’s given me such a taste of it. I want to just keep on improving. You just think, everyone is human and why can’t that be me in a few years.”

Lisa Dobriskey said: “Someone just trod on the back of it (left shoe). It didn’t come right off, so I had to kick it off. But I am not using that as an excuse. It’s just such a fantastic experience to be involved and watching the girls in the 400 was just so inspiring.

“It gave us such a boost. Especially Christine, she has been through so much. She has come out and shown everyone what she is made of.”

Men’s 800m semi- final

Michael Rimmer (Liverpool Pembroke & Sefton) was eliminated after finishing 6th in the third semi in 1:47.39. Boldly he took on the pace from the gun and at the bell held a 20 metre lead. However, by the final bend, the pack swamped him and his challenge was over.

After the race he said: “That was plan D maybe. To be honest, from the break I was running scared as I’m not a front runner. I was waiting for them to come. At 80 metres to go you should focus on form, but I was waiting for them. I then crumbled.

“I said it was important for my development to make the final and just being here has been a massive eye-opener. I will be back stronger next year.”

Men’s 4x100m semi-final

The GB & NI quartet of Christian Malcolm (Cardiff AAC), Craig Pickering (Marshall Milton Keynes), Marlon Devonish (Coventry Godiva) and Mark Lewis-Francis (Birchfield Harriers) booked their place in Saturday’s final with a business-like performance that saw them finish 2nd in the first semi final in 38.33.

Afterwards Lewis-Francis said: “It definitely went to plan. It was all about getting the baton round safely. It was alright for today, but tomorrow we have to go eyes out. It’s back for an early night tonight as there is definitely more to come tomorrow.”

For more news and photographs from the 11th IAAF World Championships click here