Pozzi targeting hurdles medal success in Berlin
ANDREW Pozzi has vowed to continue his fine from the indoors through to the rest of the season.
The hurdler achieved his main target this winter to reign supreme over the best hurdlers in the world and claim the World 60m title in Birmingham to cap a fine indoor campaign.
The 26-year-old was expected to be among the medals for England in the Commonwealth Games but after qualifying fastest for the final, he finished sixth in the 110m final after hitting the first barrier with his leading leg.
However, the athlete, who trains at Loughborough University, insists he has learned a lot from both experiences and is ready to reign supreme once again as the outdoor athletics season gets up and running.
“My main target for the winter was to win the World Indoors in Birmingham. That is literally my home Champs so it was extra special as not only did I have the amazing support from the British fans but also I had all of my friends and family in the crowd cheering me on” said Pozzi, also a European Indoor 60m champion.
“Gold Coast was a really interesting experience for me. To miss out on a medal when I went in in such good form was tricky.
“But it’s certainly spurred me to right the wrongs over 110m this outdoor season.
“That being said, it was a quick turnaround from the indoor season to the Commonwealth Games and what we’ve done really well on the back of that is take some time to mentally refresh, get back into training and will hopefully have a great outdoor season on the back of that.
“This season is an interesting one for British athletes as there are three major championships – there’s the world indoors – which obviously went incredibly well, followed by Gold Coast and then the Europeans in Berlin. I’m excited for the rest of the year and hope to be standing on the podium again in August”
Pozzi was at Loughborough University this week to mark the launch of the SPAR People’s Podium, which is aimed at honouring those who tirelessly put in the hours at grass roots level without receiving the recognition they deserve.
People can nominate these local sporting heroes for the chance to win £10,000 towards a community sport project, with the successful nominees also gaining a place on the People’s Podium alongside leading British Athletics stars at the Muller Anniversary Games in London in July.
Pozzi has the Anniversary Games in his cross hairs and revealed August’s European Championships in Berlin is a major target for him to rack up another podium finish.
“We had a quick turnaround [to the Commonwealth Games]. I missed out but it was always tough on the back of the indoors,” he added.
“Typically, in track and field the major championships aren’t until August – with the Commonwealth Games in April that made it tricky.
“We have lots of incredible competitions that build up to the European Championships in Berlin. The last one before that being in London – the Muller Anniversary Games, so we’ve got plenty to look forward to.”
• SPAR, long-term partner of British Athletics, is supporting community sport all over Britain. To nominate someone supporting sport in your community for a place on the People’s Podium and the chance to win £10,000 for their local project go to @SPARintheUK on Facebook or https://www.spar.co.uk/peoplespodium.