Having got through to the semi-final stage of the World Junior championships at Barcelona, Ben’s challenge ended when he finished in seventh place in the first semi-final on the evening of 14th July. Results of the semi finals here.
The heat winner Nijel Amos from Botswana went on to win the final on 15th July
with a new championship record of 1:43.79, nearly 6 seconds faster than his semi final time. Results of the finals here.
Congratulations to Ben for making it to the World Junior Championships and also
making it through to the semi finals. I hope the ice baths were worth it.
The British Athletics news report from that day says:
Ben Waterman (Steve Mann) likewise saw his championship journey end in the semifinals, although the 800m runner had several positives to look back to.
“I am happy about my Championships, I was pleased of how I ran yesterday. My goal was to get to the semis and I managed to do it, and even though I am going out I was competitive throughout the race. I gave everything and that is all that I could ask of myself.”
“It was not a bad race actually” said the Ealing, Southall & Middlesex athlete. “The first lap was much slower than I thought it would be, so I stuck in there and I made a move with 300 to go, although perhaps I could have been more decisive. Unfortunately, with 200 to go my legs had nothing left to give. Yesterday’s round took the life out of them.”