Cardiff's Rhys Williams crowned what was probably the best series of races he has put together by running a flawless final to win the European Championships 400m hurdles title in Helsinki today, taking the title won by Dai Greene in Barcelona two years ago.
His winning time of 49.33 is a season's best and clinches his place in the Great Britain Olympic team, a fantastic come-back after the devastation of falling in the UK trials last weekend.
After the disappointment of having its first round match cancelled because of severe weather, Cardiff's National Junior League team got to compete at Yate last Sunday, 24th June, and, despite some gaps in the team, performed creditably.
This time the weather was kinder although the wind was blustery on occasions.
Cardiff's team in the Welsh under 15 league again dominated in the second round match held in Newport on Saturday last 23 June.
Cardiff piled up a points total of 1167 against second placed Newport AC's 709 thanks to 38 individual event winners (including a triple win for Ryan Grimwade) and other high scoring team members.
Rhys Williams and Gareth Warburton have both been included in the Great Britain team for the European Championships which starts in Helsinki on Wednesday.
This gives them both a final chance to convince the selectors to add them to the Olympic team after missing out on automatic qualification at the UK trials over the past weekend.
Both Rhys and Gareth have achieved the necessary A standards and convincing performances in Helsinki could see them both added to the team for London.
Cardiff's Christian Malcolm clinched his place in the British Olympic team by taking second place in his favourite 200m at today's final session of the UKA olympic trials.
The final of the 200m was Christian's fifth race in three days, something he had deliberately chosen to do to replicate the pressure of a major championship. After the race he said that he had felt the strain of so many races and had to use all his experience to pull through to second and a guaranteed place on the team.
Christian, who was world junior champion at both 100m and 200m in 1998 has enjoyed an illustrious career in the sport and will be competing in his fourth Olympic Games.
Congratulations to Christian.
Cardiff's Gareth Warburton cruised through to tomorrow's final of the 800m at today's UK Olympic trials in Birmingham in a comfortable 1:50.45, winning heat two.
On the other hand, Rhys Williams suffered the tragedy of falling after hitting the ninth hurdle in the 400m hurdles final and did not finish. Rhys had been running strongly and was well in contention for one of the three olympic qualifying positions but misjudged the ninth.
Cardiff's European and Commonwealth medallist Rhys Williams safely qualified today for the final of the 400m hurdles at this weekend's UKA Olympic trials in Birmingham.
Rhys qualified by winning heat 2 in 50.54, the second fastest time, to secure his place, and potentially a good lane, in what will be one of most important races of his career. The final is at 17.13 tomorrow, Saturday - don't miss it.
Also comfortably through from heat 8 of the 100m, in 10.48, is popular club stalwart Christian Malcolm. Christian will line up tomorrow in semi final two, with the final later in the day.
Apologies
Thursday 14 June 2012
We apologise to all visitors that this website has not been updated for some time.
This is due to the indisposition of the, voluntary, webmaster through illness.
Normal service will be resumed as soon as possible.
Thank you for your patience.