Reynolds qualifies for 60m hurdles semis
Ben Reynolds has qualified for tomorrow’s semi-finals of the men’s 60 metres hurdles at the World Indoor Championships in Istanbul.
The North Down athlete put in what he described as a stuttering performance in progressing as a fastest loser to the last 16, taking the second-last of the four fastest loser spots this morning in Istanbul.
Reynolds went into his first-round heat with the second-slowest season’s best and personal best, but still got through a wave of runners in a fast heat, taking fifth spot in 7.82 seconds – American Aries Merritt won in 7.66.
By competing in the fourth and final heat, the 21-year-old didn’t have long to wait to discover he had got through by one-hundredth of a second – but wants to improve things for tomorrow’s semis.
“It’s not a very good time to be honest, but the result is what counts in the end. I’m through, giving me another chance,” Reynolds admitted afterwards.
“I am through, and that’s the important thing, but I’m not happy with the time. I know it was a very bad race for me. It’s just a matter of getting into the semis, and taking it a bit more relaxed and see if I can actually execute a better performance.
“The whole situation was quite daunting. Usually I’m a pretty relaxed guy and I can handle these things. I just need to relax in the semi-final and enjoy it.
“Why do I do it? For enjoyment. I can’t lose sight of that.”
Derval O’Rourke is also seeking to improve at the same event later today, having got through as a fastest loser to today’s women’s 60 hurdles semis.
Yet again, the 2006 world champion from Leevale has been drawn alongside outdoor world champion Sally Pearson and former European indoors champion Eline Berings of Belgium.
With Natalia Dobrynska setting a new pentathlon world record in seeing off Jessica Ennis last night, prospects are of possibly another new mark being set in the sprint hurdles.
Swede Susanna Kallur holds the current world record of 7.68.
