Wightman into final but ‘far from perfect’
Jake Wightman delivered a damning assessment of his European 800 metres semifinal display despite keeping his medal hopes alive in Munich.
The 1500m world champion has opted to run a shortened distance this week in a bid to showcase his versatility and keep his future options open.
And it almost backfired last night as Wightman, 28, was forced into a last lap battle to edge into the final.
He hit the throttle when the pressure was on to plough throughthefieldandcrossthe line in a time of 1:46.61 behind Spaniard Mariano Garcia.
Wightman admits he fell well short of the ‘perfection’ he desired but can take significant confidence from the fitness levels demonstrated off the final bend.
The Scot, who won Commonwealth 1500m bronze in Birmingham earlier this month, said: “I actually ran that very poorly. I thought I’d screwed it up as I was in such a bad position. I wasn’t good basically,iwantedtogoandbe as close to perfect as possible and I thought I’d be alright.
“But I was very far from perfect. I made a lot of mistakes from horrible positions, but the fact I still got through is quite a big confidence boost for me.
“But the confidence I’ve taken is that I must be fit enough if I can come back from that position, because that’s not where I want to be.
“There’s guys that have a lot quicker 400m pace – I don’t really know, I haven’t run enough 800m to know what I can run this season.”
Dina Asher-smith insisted her European 200m silver medalisanunfairreflectionof her fitness levels after the final race of the evening.
The 2019 world champion finished second behind Swiss star Mujinga Kambundji after pulling up in the 100m final withcrampearlierintheweek.
Asher-smith, 26, missed this month’s Commonwealth Games with a hamstring injury before making her hotlyanticipated return in Munich.
But she was unable to grab 200m gold as a time of 22.43s fell 0.11s short of Kambundji.
Asher-smith, who finished aheadofdaneidakarstoftand British team-mate Jodie Williams in third and fourth, said: “Iaminbettershapethanthat. I came here to win so I am not super happy. But it's silver and that's still good”
Zharnel Hughes ended his European Championship campaign on a high after scorching to gold in the 200m.
Hughes claimed silver in Tuesdaynight’s100m–behind Olympic champion Marcel Jacob – but climbed to the top of the podium over the longer distanceinaseason’sbesttime of 20.07. Nethaneel Mitchellblakecompletedabritishonetwo with silver while young star Charlie Dobson narrowly missed out on a medal in fourth.
Discus thrower Lawrence Okoye claimed a brilliant bronzeasaseason’sbesteffort of 67.14m hauled him onto the podium.
In the women’s triple jump, Britain’s Naomi Metzger finished just 0.12cm off a podium place as a jump of 14.33m earnedherarespectablesixth.
Earlier in the day, Britain’s four relay teams successfully booked their places in this weekend’s 4x100m and 4x400m finals.