Gregan into student games 400m final

DCU sprinter Brian Gregan is hoping to break the personal best he set yesterday when he attempts to win a gold medal today in the 400m at the World University Games in China.

Gregan secured a spot in the 400m finals on a semi-final finishing time and personal best of 46 seconds.

“As I came up on the straightaway I kept telling myself to ‘relax and take it easy’ and focus on the finish line,” he said.

“I was feeling good and nearlyfinished in 45 seconds for a new PB but I think I’ll save that for the final.”

Gregan kept in line with the leader, Russian Valentin Kruglyakov, until the final stretch when he surged ahead for the remaining 100 metres.

The DCU student edged past the Russian by .07 of a second to grab first position as they crossed the finish line to confirm his place in the final.

In swimming, Niall Wynn, Karl Burdis and Bethany Carson set new personal bests after finishing in the top of their event heats.

Niall Wynn finished the 200m individual medley in 2:05.88 giving the UCD student 20th position in the event while Karl Burdis placed sixth in his heat in the 100m Butterfly with a time of 56.02.

The Dublin-duo combined for a full second off their previously heldperformances.

On the women’s side, Bethany Carson surpassed her best time in the women’s 100m butterfly with a final time of 1:02.79 after placing second in her heat.

Teammate and heat opponent Lorna Cummins finished behind Carson with a time of 1:03.25 and was placed 26th overall in the event. Fiona Doyle placed 18th overall in the 50m Breaststroke with a time of 32.62 while Aisling Cooney timed in at 1:02.94 after completing the 100m backstroke.