2018 Berlin Diary: Day two in Berlin showed some promise for Men’s GBR team over 200 meters and 400 meters

Stuart Weir wrote this piece on the semi final performances of the Men’s GBR team in Berlin. Martin Hudson-Smith showed his talents in the 400 meters, as did Natheneel Mitchell-Blake and Adam Gemili.

Berlin bound, let’s see what the European championships holds ✈️🇩🇪 @berlin.2018

A post shared by Matthew Hudson-Smith (@matthudsonsmith) on Jul 24, 2018 at 11:35am PDT

Men’s semi-finals and more

It was one from four in the men’s 400m semi-finals with Matthew Hudson-Smith the fastest qualifier in 44.76. Hudson-Smith, who is on Twitter as “Mat on the floor” said after the race : “Yes I was ready. Did what my coach told me ‘execute’ did 350 then show off, show what you are made of, see where you are…. I did exactly what I came here to do – I came here to execute so I’m happy.(can anyone stop you winning the gold?) Only I can at the end of the day. I came here as number 1, I came here to prove it. and like I say only I can stop myself really.Everyone is (dangerous) who steps on the line. All eight lanes are going to be dangerous – they come here and put their focus on me. I just have to execute and the rest will sort itself out”.

Rabah Yousif (10^th fastest) and Dwayne Cowan (12^th) failed to qualify as did Martin Rooney who had a wildcard as defending champion.

Could Britain do a men’s spring double? What a shame Zarnel Hughes is not doubling up! Delano Williams withdrew with injury but Nathaneel Mitchell-Blake (4^th fastest in 20.35 but he was easing down) and Adam Gemili qualified, who just grabbed the last place on time.

Ramil Guliyev, the World Champion, easily made the final.

Tim Duckworth, born in UK but brought up in USA came fifth in the Decathlon, having led overnight.