U23 National Championships, Bedford 20 June

AT the same time as his club compatriots were starting their league campaign, Shemar Boldizsar was up at the Bedford to participate in the Under 23 Championships. In his heat, he was in Lane 3 and ate up the ground between him and his competitors. By the time he was in the home straight he was already out in front and was able to ease down and conserve energy for the final. His time of 21.34s was second fastest over the heats.

By the time the final was due, the conditions had deteriorated and the gentle headwind had strengthened considerably. Boldizsar was seeded in Lane 6 and got out of the blocks well. As the runners entered the straight the competition was reduced to just three athletes being in contention. By 60m to go Boldizsar was in sole charge. Making light of the conditions, he stopped the clock at 20.84s. This was then rounded down to 20.81s. Agonisingly, this is just a hundredth outside of the time set by GB Athletics for automatic selection to the U23 European Championships. There is now an anxious wait to see if selectors will offer him a space for Bergen, Norway, in July. Selections are announced next Monday.