Length of season takes toll

By Ross Lawson HURDLER Jess Turner conceded the length of the season finally took its toll after the Loughborough University student fell just short of a medal at the World University Games, in Chinese Taipei.

The runner had been eyeing up a place on the podium in the 400m hurdles, but it proved to be a step too far as she finished fifth in a time of 57.45s.

That was nearly two seconds slower than winner Ayomide Folorunso, from Italy, though it was quicker than the effort she registered in the heat earlier in the week.

But despite missing out on a medal, Turner insisted that would have been a bonus as opposed to a definitive aim, grateful for the experience of taking on the World University Games’ (WUGs) best.

She said: “My intentions on coming here were to definitely make the final but also to get that chance to medal – it would have been great scenes if I would have medalled,” she said.

“But I gave it everything, I think the season has caught up with me.

“It wasn’t my day but I’ve had such a long season so I can’t really complain.”

Now the 22-year-old is hoping to kick on into the next stage of her career, thrilled to revel in an experience she is set to remember for a long time in Chinese Taipei.

• British Universities & Colleges Sport (BUCS) is the national governing body for Higher Education (HE) sport in the UK, organising leagues, competitions and international representative teams for more than 150 institutions across 52 sports. Over 110 athletes represented GB at the 29th World University Games (Summer Universiade) in Chinese Taipei, August 19-30.