Sayers insists World Championship injury risk was right to take

From James Toney and Tom Oldfield, Sportsbeat, in Berlin
 
 GOLDIE Sayers refused to blame her injury problems as she missed out on a javelin final place at the World Athletics Championships in Berlin.

DISAPPOINTED: Goldie Sayers injury punctuated season laid the foundation for a qualifying round exit in Berlin (Getty Images for Aviva)

Sayers – fourth in last year’s Olympics - could only produce a best of 58.98 metres in her qualifying heat, nearly a metre down on her best from a season punctuated with injury.

It was only good enough to rank her ninth in her group and her qualification fate was soon confirmed within a few throws of the next heat.

“I wouldn't say this was a bridge too far,” said Sayers, who sustained a partial stress fracture in her lower back in May.

“I was feeling okay so the injuries weren’t really an issue.

“I slipped on the first throw and then wasted the second one. It’s totally my fault – you can’t waste two throws in a World Championships.”

Defending champion Janeth Jepkosgei took a tumble but Great Britain’s Jemma Simpson, Jenny Meadows and Marilyn Okoro all progressed to the 800m semi-finals.

Meadows was second in her heat behind Russian Yuliya Krevsun - the winner of the European Team Championships in Leiria earlier this season - in the sixth quickest qualifying time, 2.02.47.

Simpson was also second in her race while Okoro had a battle, snatching the last qualifying place when she finished third in heat six.

“I felt good out there, though my shoe started to come off after about 400 metres,” said Simpson, who won the national title in Birmingham earlier this year.

“I just wanted to run a good time, be strong and make it into the next round. I was a bit worried about being in lane two but I’ve qualified, which is great.”

Meadows was also happy with her performance.

"Everything went to plan,” she said.

“It’s encouraging to get up there in the heats. But you can never say much at this stage.

"I’m just hoping the three British girls can acquit themselves well and I know we’re all desperate to go further. It gives us that extra drive.”

Meanwhile, Jepkosgei was left smarting after tangling with South Africa’s Caster Semenya. She got up to finish but crossed the line a distant last.

“I didn’t see anything because I was looking forward,” insisted Semenya, who won the heat. “I twisted my ankle and I can’t feel it at the moment.”

Richard Mateelong, the bronze medallist in Beijing last year, was the quickest qualifier in the men’s 3000m steeplechase.

Kenyan team-mates Brimin Kiprop and Paul Kipsiele were second and fourth fastest.

“We’ve a strong team and if we can get our tactics right, then we can be among the medals,” said Mateelong.

World and Olympic champion Valerie Vili was the most impressive qualifier in the women's shot - her best effort of 19.70m was nearly half a metre better than nearest rival, Germany's Nadine Klienert.

Vili was rumoured to be considering a switch of nationalities ahead of London 2012 because of funding issues in New Zealand with Great Britain, her father was born in Bristol, reported as an option.