by Stuart WeirWe believe that our European correspondent, Stuart Weir is prescient, this time, he kind of surpised us. Stuart Weir wrote this piece about May 7, and on May 16, Jessie Knight set a big PB over the 400m hurdles, with her 54.78 at Nuneaton, during the Birchfield Harriers NAL meeting.
So, we just added the piece (in bold below) on Jessie’s fine hurdling.
Jessie had focused on the 400m flat this past season and she showed some fine leg speed. But like the American, Shamier Little, Jessie’s 400m flat speed equated into big starts for both in 2021.
Jessie Knight, photo by Getty Images / British Athletics
Jessie Knight – moving to the next level
Gaining a bronze medal in the World relays was another milestone in a remarkable two and a quarter years for British hurdler Jessie Knight. Some athletes are child prodigies, some have colleges, sponsors and agents chasing them. For some athletes reaching the elite level, the process is harder and longer – yet all the more satisfying when they succeed. Take of the case of Jessie Knight.
Jessie Knight, photo by Getty Images / British Athletics
Timeline
2017, July – with a PR of 58.00 in the 400 hurdles, Jessie decides her days of running are over.
2019, January – A change of heart and a change of coach and she back running.
2019, July – third in the British championship but 0.1 seconds outside the World Championship qualifying standard. Her PR has dropped to 56.04
2020, February – gets a lane in the Muller Grand Prix in Glasgow 400m, seeded to finish last. She wins in 51.57. The following week she wins the British Indoor Championship 400m title.
Jessie Knight upsets Justyna Swiety-Ersatic, photo by Getty Images / British Athletics
2020, August/September – makes her Diamond League debut, Stockholm 400m and Rome 400m hurdles. Her PR drops to 55.27 Reduces her hours as a primary school teacher to 50%
2021, February – second in British Indoor Championships 400m
2021 Torun European Indoor Champs, Torun, Poland, 4x400m, photo by Getty Images / European Athletics
2021, March – semi-finalists in 400m and relay silver medal at European Indoor Championships.
2021 Torun European Indoor Champs, Torun, Poland, 4x400m, photo by Getty Images / European Athletics
2021, 1-2 May – Bronze in women’s 4 by 400 relay at World Relays.
2021, 16 May-At the Birchfield NAL meeting, Jessie Knight set a new PB at the 400m hurdles of 54.78. This is not only her PB, but qualified Jessie for the Olympics and made her numero 7 on the British all time 400m hurdles women’s list!
Her comments after the World Relays communicate how much she is enjoying her involvement in elite athletics, a fitting reward for perseverance and commitment. She commented: “I’ve really enjoyed this weekend. I think I put too much pressure on myself at European Indoors. I wanted that British vest since I was 8 years-old, so when I got it, it was all a bit overwhelming. I really feel like I have grown at this event, instead of getting myself overly nervous I have got myself excited. I’m so grateful that this event has even gone ahead in the current situation”.
And, all being well, there is Tokyo to come.
Read previous posts on the European Indoors
https://www.runblogrun.com/2021/03/jessie-knight—assessment-of-torun.html
and a general feature on Jessie
https://www.runblogrun.com/2020/10/jesse-knight-is-one-of.html
