Sally Pearson plays down semi-final exit

Sunday, 4 March 2018:

Sally Pearson has downplayed any form concern a month out from her hometown Commonwealth Games after crashing out in the semi-finals at the world indoor athletics championships.

Pearson finished third in her 60m hurdles semi in Birmingham but her time was not quick enough to book a spot in the medal race.

It was 2012 Olympic and reigning world 100m hurdles champion Pearson's worst performance at a major event since she finished seventh at the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne.

The warning signs for 31-year-old were clear on Friday when she finished second in her heat to young Nigerian Tobi Amusan, who she'll face again next month at the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast.

Pearson started well but was run down in the final five metres by Germany's Cindy Roleder, who finished behind world record holder Kendra Harrison, the eventual gold medallist.

American trio Harrison, Christina Manning and Sharika Nelvis filled three of the top four qualifying spots with Nadine Visser chalking up a Dutch record to be third fastest.

Pearson was philosophical and reiterated her comments from earlier in the week that she had one eye on preparing for the Games in her home city - where she is very much the face of the Games.

"For me it was about coming here to get this quality racing before the Commonwealth Games, which I just can't get in Australia," Pearson said.

Saturday, proved disappointing for Australia, with the other major medal hope Ryan Gregson also going out in the semi-finals.

Like Pearson, Gregson was third in his 1500m semi but not fast enough to advance.

Gregson ran well in a red-hot field and kicked hard in the final 80m but was unable to haul in Ethopia's Samuel Tefera and Kenya's Vincent Kibet.

The New South Welshman was the eighth-fastest finisher overall and his time of 3:44.44 would have comfortably earned him a top-two spot in the third heat and a place in Sunday's final.

"I didn't run that poorly, it's just cut-throat, when the top two automatically qualify for the final," Gregson told AAP.

"I was unfortunate that it panned out that way. I did what I wanted to do, I put myself in a position, but those guys are very good.

"Vincent Kibet beat me last week in Glasgow and the Ethiopian is one of the fastest in the world this year.

"I nearly pulled it off but it was not to be.

"I know it was only a heat, but if I can put myself consistently in the top three of every race then I'll be getting there."

There was also further disappointment in the 60m hurdles for Michelle Jenneke who finished seventh in her semi-final.

Victorian shot putter Damien Birkenhead also struggled, finishing last in a 16-strong field.

Birkinhead posted a disappointing effort of 19.11 - way short of the 21.35 personal best he set last year in Zagreb.

New Zealand world champion Tom Walsh took gold thanks to a championship-record throw of 22.31.

However, there was some positive news for sprint hurdler Nick Hough who recorded a personal best of 7.76 to book a semi-final spot.

Highly rated 20-year-old pole vaulter Kurtis Marschall is also in action on the final day of competition.






AAP






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