English delighted to make first major final

It was a case of relief with Mark English qualifying for the final of the men’s 800m as a fastest loser in 1:46.23 at the Letzigrund Stadium last night while Thomas Barr unfortunately couldn’t replicate that in the 400m hurdles.

English made all the right moves in the first semi-final, tracking championship favourite Pierre-Ambroise Bosse of France. Bosse went through in 51.53 with English perfectly poised but with 50m to go he faltered. Poland’s Artur Kuciapski and Denmark’s Andreas Bube swooped around to take the remaining automatic qualifying places.

That cued a nervous wait for the second semi-final but it was clear after 300m to a delighted English that he would make his first senior final.