Wataru YAZAWA (JPN) 1st in Heat 113.57 (PB)
I’m just relieved right now.
The round 1, the qualification, it was the first round for me so I was a bit nervous, so I didn’t do my best. This time, I wanted to do my best. During the practice this morning, my body felt much lighter and I knew that I was ready to go, so it was a much more enjoyable race.
When I was warming up, just before, my right leg felt a bit sore, so I had mixed feelings. But my coach and teammates were supporting me, so I wanted to do it and make it to the final.
Caleb CROSS (USA) - 2nd in HEAT 1 - 13.72
I just wanted to stay clean. I qualified for the final so I can’t be mad today.
Oluwasegun MAKINDE (CAN) - 7th HEAT 1 - 14.05
I felt alright but I was not as technically smooth as I want to be. You need to be sound over the hurdles to have a clean race. But I have time to improve - it’s a long season still to come.
This has been a great meet for confidence boosting. I’ve been running under some extreme pressure conditions. I will take what I have learned here and apply it to the future.
Greggmar SWIFT (BAR) - 1st in HEAT 2 - 13.65
It was a pretty okay race. My coach told me, “Come out here and qualify. You have no competition, time means nothing. Don’t look at anyone, come out here, run your race” - and I won.
I wasn’t clean enough. My heat was better than this, although I ran a little bit slower. It’s not about the technicalities right now. It’s about finishing first.
He (Pascal Martinot-Lagarde) can come up all he likes; he’s not worrying me.
Pascal Martinot-Lagarde (FRA) - 2nd in HEAT 2 - 13.73
I was more or less confident. My start wasn’t horrible but I preferred not to fight, rather keep it for the finals.
I concentrate more on my race, on my lane, on my time. I don’t need to look at who is beside me.
I’m going to have to be much faster in the final. With a time like today, I will not go very far.
Jack MEREDITH (GBR) - 1st in HEAT 3 - 13.52
I wanted [it to be a lot cleaner than yesterday]. That’s what I was waiting for. Good start, good finish, nice and smooth. I just imagined clawing that lead leg back all the time. Two down, one to go.
Sam Baines (AUS) - 2ns HEAT 3 - 13.66
It was very close. The last three hurdles we were all sort of fighting it out. It was a little bit scrappy for me, but I managed to hold it together and qualify.
Judging by that race, I have more to give (come the final). I just have to focus on my race and focus on the final and run my race.
