Team GB’s Robbie Grabarz was left ecstatic after he won high jump silver at the IAAF World Indoor Championships at the Oregon Convention Centre in Portland.
It has been a difficult couple of years for the 28-year-old after surgery but he cleared 2.20m, 2.25m and 2.29m before jumping 2.33m first time to secure his place on the podium, which was topped by Italy’s Gianmarco Tamberi.
Grabarz told British Athletics: “I'm ecstatic; I just can't believe it to be honest. If someone would have said that would be the result two years ago I wouldn’t have believed it and I would have bit your hand off.
“They (Barshim and Kynard) looked very, very far away, but it just made me train harder and harder - just on the days I didn’t really want to get out of bed. I've been able to compete with these guys and get a medal and that's great.”
Grabarz’s team-mate Chris Baker could only manage eighth after his best jump of 2.29m in what was his first World Championships.
“It's my first world champs so I'm fairly happy to be in the mix really,” Baker said. “I'm delighted for Robbie, it's great to see him back on the top and I'm so happy for him.
“It's frustrating because I was jumping the height to make the 33, but just not clearing the bar and that's what makes it feel a bit harder. It's frustrating, but that's high jump. Me and Robbie were having a great time out there, it was a lot of fun and I'm delighted for him.”
British team captain Asha Philip had to settle for lane one in the 60m final and came fifth with a time of 7.14 seconds, but Dina Asher-Smith was forced to pull out of the race after a reaction to her hamstring following her semi-final.
Philip said: “I came here for a medal, I wanted a medal! I came fifth and I didn’t run a PB or a season’s best, I’m gutted. I got out quick, but it’s so hard when you’re on the side. I just kept on pushing and pushing and pushing but right at the end that’s where I need to keep on working.
“Unfortunately I didn’t come away with a medal, but I came away with pride and I’m team captain so I’ll keep a smile on my face.”
Lawrence Clarke also booked his place in the 60m hurdles semi-final later today with a time of 7.74 seconds.
Sportsbeat 2016