By Chris Bailey


Dartford’s Adam Gemili insists he is far from hitting the panic buttons after Danny Talbot sprang a surprise in the 200m to get the better of the sub-20 second man at the Sainsbury’s British championships on Saturday.

In his first set of 200m races this year, Blackheath & Bromley Harriers star Gemili clocked a time of 20.6 seconds in the national final in damp conditions – two hundredths behind Great Britain team-mate Talbot.

But if Birmingham’s Alexander Stadium did not see him at his best, Gemili has vowed to hit his peak in time for the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

There are still four weeks left to prepare and Gemili, who stormed to a personal best of 19.98 at the world championships last year to become just the second sub-20 Brit ever, is unfazed by the defeat.

“It’s not really a shock, I didn’t run the cleanest of bends and I felt a little bit of cramp – I don’t think I managed my hydration as well as I could have,” said Gemili, who hopes to compete throughout the Summer Series – events proudly backed by long-term supporter Sainsbury’s. 

“But second place and in that weather 20.6 is good, I ran a 20.7 on Friday and that was a bit of a jog.

“So I know I’ve got a lot more to come, it’s just hitting it right on the day and I’ve got to be happy with that.

“And Danny Talbot has been one of my best mates in the sport for the last year; he’s been unlucky making teams so for him to come and win it I’m so happy for him.

“I’ve got the Diamond League and I can get things better for there, then I can get things right for the Commonwealths and the Europeans if I’m selected.

“In the European U23s last year I came fourth in that final, and a couple of weeks later I make the world championships final.

“So it happens with racing, it’s not as easy as just saying it, it comes down to hard work.

“But I’m happy for now.”

Gemili will not just have medals on his mind in Glasgow as time ticks down on recording 20.55s, the European championships qualifying time.

That competition follows hot on the heels of the Commonwealths but the 20-year-old is convinced he’ll be ready.

He added: “There’s always time, I’m doing Glasgow so hopefully I’ll get the time there and if not, I don’t know if they can take it from last year, but we’ll see. I’ll take it as it comes.

“I’m running well in training but on the day I couldn’t hit it right, my body just wasn’t 100 per cent.

“The champs are in August, that’s when you’ve got to get it right.”

Sainsbury’s is proud to support British Athletics through the Summer Series events and committed to helping young people lead healthier, more active lifestyles. 

For more information, visit sainsburys.co.uk/legacy

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