10th July 2009

SILVER FOR MEREDITH

10 July 2009

Jack Meredith (Liverpool Harriers) claimed the Aviva Great Britain & Northern Ireland second World Youth Championships medal in the afternoon session on the third day of competition in Bressanone, Italy, with his outstanding run in the 110m hurdles final.

Meredith, took the silver medal with his outstanding personal best performance of 13.33 (0.6m/s), which was narrowly beaten by Dale Morgan (USA) who finished in 13.28, a new world leading time.

The Liverpool Harrier said: “I’m a bit gutted but I got another personal best so I can’t ask for more. It would have been nice to get the gold, he was just better than me on the day. I ran my fastest time that I’ve done this year, I couldn’t have run any better.

“I wish I was going home with the gold, I’m very happy and It’s a good time though.”

Earlier in the afternoon Meredith’s performance in the third semi-final race registered a world leading time of 13.42 (-0.2 m/s).

Meredith continued his impressive form throughout the competition and had his sights firmly set on a gold medal after the semi-final.

“That was a long time coming. The wind was a minus as well so if that switches round hopefully I can go faster. The time doesn’t matter, it’s a gold medal that I want. It feels great to have the leading time in the world but I want the gold.

“I’m going to go back and do some strides and get psyched up before the final. I’ve got enough left for the final. Back in the UK my season so far has been good, it’s been my first year with higher hurdles back at home so that was hard but hopefully it will pay off in about two hours time.”

After a slow start in his semi-final race, team mate Andrew Pozzi (Stratford) managed to maintain second place for much of the race but lost out when the German and Canadian athletes on either side of him edged ahead right on the line. He finished in fourth with 13.82 (-0.3 m/s)

“That wasn’t good. I just didn’t get out particularly well; I just lost all my rhythm. I’ve no idea what happened, I felt really good in warm up, then I got on the track and didn’t feel good. It’s been an amazing experience coming here though, I’ve learnt a lot and hopefully I’ll get selected for a championship next year.”

Nathan Wake ran an incredible race in the final of the 400m, he held third place right until the line but was beaten to bronze by Awadelkarim Elyas (SUD) who had more to give at that late stage. He crossed the line in fourth place in 47.20 which was a tough blow.

During the afternoon competition Katarina Thompson’s heptathlon campaign went from strength to strength with another personal best in the 200m. Her time of 24.34 (1.2 m/s) made it three personal bests out of four events so far for the Liverpool Harrier.

After the 200m she said: “I’m so happy. I never thought I’d get a personal best in the 200m. It’s so great to have someone the same ability as me to push me, having someone 10m ahead doesn’t do it, it’s having someone right next to you that pushes you on. I think that’s what’s done it.”

She also finished in sixth place overall in the shot with 10.00m. Her best throw, flanked by efforts of 9.61m and 9.91m, was in the second round.

Rowena Cole (Coventry) ran a confident 800m semi-final race and finished comfortably in second which was enough to qualify. Her impressive time of 2:05.80 is a new personal best for the athlete.

She lead at 400m but faced tough opposition from Irish talent Ciara Mageean. The pair battled for the lead through 200m on the final lap until Mageean went through to take the win.

She said: “I enjoyed it, the standard’s so high it’s great. I just wanted to get out there and get into the final and I’m really really happy! I can’t believe I’ve just got a personal best.

“I’m so glad she’s got through (Mageean), we were driving each other which helped it to be fast. I’m definitely looking forward to the final. British athletes are used to doing rounds so that’s beneficial to us when we come out to competitions like this. The standard in the UK is really high. My coach is out here and I just want to say thanks for her support.”

 

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More from World Youth Championships visit – www.uka.org.uk