Sprinter Ferguson and footballer Bethany both reach semi-finals representing country at major events
TWO SPORTSPEOPLE from Barnsley have been representing their country at the top competitions in their sports this week.
Footballer Bethany England is part of the England squad which has reached the semi-finals of their home Euros.
Sprinter Joe Ferguson, from Darton, reached the semi-final in his first major competition representing Great Britain in the 200m at the World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon, USA.
Ferguson, 22, earned his first senior GB call-up for the worlds after a huge personal best of 20.23 at the British Championships last month, in which he took a silver medal.
He then flew out for a ten-day training camp in Portland before moving across Oregon to Eugene to make his senior championship debut.
In the first heat on Tuesday morning, UK time, he finished fourth with 20.33.
That meant he missed out on the three automatic semi-final places but, after a nervous wait for the other six heats to be completed, he was confirmed as one of three ‘fastest losers’.*
In Wednesday’s semi-final, he finished seventh with a time of 20.52 – racing against the likes of defending champion Noah Lyles.
Ferguson’s target for the championship had been to reach the semi-final.
Joe is now likely to compete in the European Championships in Munich, Germany which begin on August 15.
Ferguson said: “I am really happy with my first World Championships especially as it is my senior debut for GB.
“It’s been a fantastic experience.
“To go out there as one of the youngest in the field and make the semi-finals and to finish 18th overall, I’m very proud.
“The whole experience has taught me a lot of lessons that I hope to use as fuel for improvement for the coming year.
“I know what I need to do to take it one step further to be in a global final and that has to be my next aim.
“I am very thankful for the opportunity and hopefully it’s the first of many.
“For now, my focus is switched to the European Championships.
“Selection will be announced in the next couple of weeks so I hope that I’ll be in that squad.”
Meanwhile, footballer England is part of the England squad which is close to making history.
The Lionesses won 2-1 in their quarter-final against Spain at Brighton and Hove Albion’s ground on Wednesday evening.
Bethany has been an unused substitute in all four of England’s games so far.
They are due to play in the semi-final on Tuesday evening at Sheffield United’s Bramall Lane. The final is on July 31 at Wembley Stadium.
England are one of the favourites for the tournament, which they have never won before.