Athletics: Greene goes flat out to boost Delhi hopes

EUROPEAN No 1 Dai Greene produced the pick of the performances on day one of the Welsh Athletics Championships and Commonwealth Games trials.

Greene’s was one of a number of strong displays by Wales’ leading prospects for the Commonwealth Games in October at the Cardiff International Stadium on Saturday.

Swansea Harriers 400m hurdle specialist Greene went in the 400m flat and easily qualified through the heats with a time of 48.23 seconds to go up against Commonwealth veteran and double silver medallist Matt Elias in the final.

Elias was forced to pull out after 200m of the final, leaving Greene to romp home well ahead of the field in a winning time of 46.38secs.

It was a good outing for Greene despite the strong headwind and useful preparation for a busy few months which includes the European Championships and Commonwealth Games.

“For years I’ve wanted to be No 1, so now I’ve achieved that spot in the UK and in Europe I don’t want to shy away from it,” he said.

“I wanted to go faster, but the weather conditions didn’t really allow for it.

“I’m pleased with my performance because the 400m flat is not an event I do very often.

“I’ve been coping with a couple of injuries and Welsh Athletics have been great and allowed me not to hurdle on Sunday.

“With the European Team Championships, European Championships and then Commonwealth Games it’s going to be a busy few months – and I want to be peaking in October.”

Bridgend decathlete David Guest, who smashed the Welsh senior decathlon record last week, kept his sparkling form going with an impressive performance in the 110m hurdles.

The 18-year-old student claimed his first senior men’s title at the Combined Events Championship in Bedford the previous week and added a Welsh Championship title to his CV with a time of 14.86.

He said: “I was a little bit tired going into the race.

“I met up with my physio on Tuesday because my knee was a little bit dodgy after Bedford.

“But I had it well strapped and the physio gave me the all-clear.

“I’m still on a high from last weekend.

“I’m full of confidence and looking forward to competing.

“I enjoyed myself out there.

“It’s good preparation for the World Junior Championships in Canada next month.

“I know there will be some very strong competition, but I am looking forward to it.

“If I do my best, I should be within the medal places which will be great.”

Elsewhere on Saturday, Wrexham’s James Miles won a close men’s 1500m final ahead of Belgrave Harriers runner Steve Davies.

Swansea Harrier Amanda Jones took the women’s 1500m final and the 110m women’s hurdles crown went to Heather Jones of Carmarthen Harriers.

Javelin prospect Lee Doran threw 71.98m to take the men’s crown in front of Simon Bennett with 62.14m.