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POZZI MAKES THE GRADE

6th May 2012, 12:14pm

Andy Pozzi: Good run in tough conditions

Andy Pozzi: Good run in tough conditions

Britain's Andy Pozzi achieved the Olympic qualifying standard for the 110 metre hurdles - and in the Olympic stadium itself for good measure.

Pozzi defied temperatures of just seven degrees and a headwind of 1.1 metres per second to exactly match the 'A' standard of 13.52 seconds in the British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) championships, which is doubling as the Olympic test event.

The 19-year-old, who finished fourth in the World Indoor Championships in Istanbul in March, said: "It was very good, I was really happy.

"It wasn't quite perfect but for a first race it was what I'd hoped for. There was quite a strong headwind, so given everything I wouldn't have thought I'd run quite so quick, so I'm very happy.

"I'm really proud to be in here right now and I'm really chuffed. I was always hoping for the 'A' standard, but to get it here in the stadium where I hope to come and compete again is great."

Pozzi defeated his idol and former Olympic champion Liu Xiang in the heats in Istanbul, also twice lowering his personal best on the way to the final.

After missing out on a medal by just 0.05secs, Pozzi has been receiving more media attention, but admits veteran coach Malcolm Arnold - who also coaches world 400m hurdles champion Dai Greene - has been making sure he does not get too carried away.

"If Malcolm says it goes, it goes!" Pozzi added. "There have been a lot more opportunities for things to change a lot, but me and my coach decided we would keep everything the same.

"I've tried not to do too much press and promotional stuff. I just need to get on with my own business and then focus on that after."

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