Greene impresses on way to World Championship final
University of Bath-based athlete Dai Greene will get the chance to battle it out for World Championship gold when he runs in the 400m hurdles final on Thursday (1 September).
Greene, who is coached by Malcolm Arnold – UK Athletics National Events Coach Hurdles – looked in impressive form as he won his semi-final in Daegu today (Tuesday).
Greene, who won the European and Commonwealth titles last year, took his semi in 48.62 seconds, the second fastest time of the day.
“I ran very slow over the first half of my heat so I wanted to go off tonight a lot more brisk and I thought I did that very well,” he said.
“When I came off the bend I didn’t see that they were anywhere near me, so I took my foot of the gas. I know in the final I won’t have that luxury so I’m very happy really.
“I’ve got to aim for the top of the podium,” he said. “That’s not to say I might not be happy with something a bit less, but you’ll have to ask me that question at the end.”
But there was no place in the final for training partner Jack Green, who is making his senior GB debut at the age of 19. The University of Bath Sports Performance student finished fifth in the first semi-final in 49.62.
He said: “ I’m really disappointed. I really worked on getting in the race, I felt in it and I came strong, but for some reason I just wasn’t there.”
Eilidh Child, who spends part of her time training at the University of Bath, was third in her heat of the women’s 400m hurdles but came sixth in her semi today and did not progress to the final.
William Sharman, meanwhile was upgraded to joint fifth in the 110m hurdles final yesterday (Monday) following the disqualification of Cuba’s Dayron Robles, who crossed the finish line first.
Training partner Lawrence Clarke, who made his GB senior outdoor debut in Daegu, came fifth in his heat on Sunday, missing out on a place in the semis.
For further information please contact the Team Bath press office at Matchtight Ltd on 07765 071683.
