Pozzi to return 'stronger than ever'

STRATFORD Athletic Club coach Paul Bearman expects Andrew Pozzi to come back “stronger than ever” following Tuesday’s Commonwealth Games disappointment.

After cruising through Monday’s heat, Pozzi missed out on a medal in the 110m hurdles final as Jamaica took gold and silver.

Pozzi hit the first hurdle and struggled to get into the race after that, finishing sixth in a time of 13.53.

The 25-year-old won gold in the 60m hurdles at the World Indoor Championships last month, but this performance was way below his best.

Bearman felt Pozzi’s contact with the first hurdle proved critical and left his dreams of winning a medal in tatters.

He said: “I always say hurdles is the hardest event in my eyes because of the speed and technicalities of the event and with one mistake the whole rhythm of the race is usually shattered.

“Hitting the first hurdle meant that Andrew would have been playing catch up and whilst he got back into the race, the momentum and all the technical excellence that he demonstrated in his very smooth run in the heat would also be messed up.

“Andrew is obviously disappointed but he’s a world champion and I’m sure he will come back stronger than ever.

“He learns from all his experiences, good and bad, but what’s gone is gone and once the disappointment of this race has abated he’ll be looking forwards and certainly not backwards.”

Pozzi’s room-mate, Adam Gemili, who was forced to pull out of the 100m on Monday due to a thigh injury, added: “He (Pozzi) is gutted. He knows it’s his fault because he just clattered into that first hurdle.

“He knew he had a chance to take the title here and I really believe he could have done that.

“He will be gutted but I will try and stay positive. It is not a very successful room for us!”