Stratford's Pozzi wins gold at World Indoor Athletics Championships

ANDREW Pozzi timed his lunge to the line perfectly to claim gold in the 60m hurdles on the final day of the World Indoor Championships in Birmingham on Sunday.

The Stratford AC athlete overcame his recent struggles out of the blocks to clock a season's best of 7.46 seconds in a thrilling final to edge past American Jarret Eaton by one-hundredth of a second.

Pozzi and Eaton shook hands as they stared at the arena's big screen when waiting for clarity on who had won.

Roars met the result, as the 25-year-old took the title having come from behind late on following Eaton's rapid start, with France's Aurel Manga third (7.54).

"My heart stopped at the end there," said Stratford-born Pozzi.

"I knew the fifth hurdle I was behind. I can't describe how much I wanted it.

"I was throwing my body at the line. To be voted co-captain for the championships is the biggest honour of my life. Every member of the team has been perfect."

The Stratford-upon-Avon athlete’s first experience of watching athletics was in Arena Birmingham at the British Championships many years ago, so it was a fitting finale for the local boy to secure gold on home turf.

More on Pozzi's World Championships success in this week's Stratford Herald.