Published: 18/03/2010 16:16 -
Updated: 18/03/2010 16:27
ANDREW Osagie was left wondering what might have been after almost upstaging Olympic silver medallist Ismail Ahmed Ismail at the World Indoor Championships in Doha, Qatar.
The 22-year-old from Northbrooks, Harlow, began his campaign with a bang by storming through his opening 800m heat in a personal best time of 1 min 47.40 seconds inside the Aspire Dome.
The 22-year-old from Northbrooks, Harlow, began his campaign with a bang by storming through his opening 800m heat in a personal best time of 1 min 47.40 seconds inside the Aspire Dome.
Needing to finish in the top three in his semi-final to make the medal showdown, Osagie held off the Sudanese runner all the way until the final stride – losing out by the width of his GB vest.
And after beating his legs in frustration on the finish line, the Harlow Athletic Club member admitted he thought he had done enough to make the final.
“I knew he [Ismail] was going to come through like a train at the end but I was holding him and holding him right to the end,” said Osagie, right, who clocked 1:51.29 – 0.04 seconds slower than Ismail.
“If you had offered me a semi-final place before I came out I would have snapped your hand off but now I’m so frustrated not to be in the final.
“I put myself in that position because I ran the inside line, but I’m happy running that line.
“It means you can’t go round people but I stuck at it and although the start was slow the last 150m was just a mad dash.
“Ismail is a real world class athlete so I can’t complain because the best three go through at the end of the day but I really thought I had him.”
The 2010 UK 800m indoor champion added: “I hope it’s going to be a busy year and if I stay injury free I would love to be going to both the Commonwealth Games and the European Championships.”
The Commonwealth Games takes place in Delhi, India, this August.
Osagie is a member of double Olympic gold medallist Dame Kelly Holmes’ ‘On Camp With Kelly’ mentoring programme.
Dame Kelly said: “Andrew should be proud of what he has achieved at the World Indoors on his senior GB debut.
“Not only has he come away with a personal best, he has shown that he can compete with the world’s best. He will have learnt a huge amount from the experience that will help him as his career progresses.”
* Aviva has been proud to have helped and supported the Aviva GB & NI junior, senior and disability teams as they prepare for all major events and championships since 1999. Visit www.aviva.co.uk /athletics for information.
SPORT HEADLINES
NATIONAL SPORT
NEWS HEADLINES
NATIONAL NEWS
Sports news from the Harlow Star, including the latest from Harlow Town Football Club.
The Harlow Star provides all the latest local news from Harlow.
Find information on Harlow events,
including movie reviews,
and computer game reviews and search our events guide.
Read the latest top stories from around your local area in Harlow, Essex.
Catch up with the latest news 24/7 from the Harlow Star, national headlines and local sport.
Look through the Harlow jobs sections to see the latest vacancies and visit our property section with homes for sale and rent.
Even when you are away on business or holiday, stay up to date with local news stories and what's on in Harlow.
You can read the latest business news,
education news, health news,
and fashion features
as well as the latest on homes and gardens.
