Athletics: Anguish for Owen

NEIL OWEN failed to gain a 110 metres medal at the World Junior Championships in Seoul yesterday, when he clipped a hurdle and could only finish sixth.

Owen, from Croydon, made a poor start, but he recovered to lie fourth at the half-way stage. At the third from last barrier, though, he clipped his trailing foot, losing a shoe. His time was 14.35sec. Victory went to Russia's Yevgeny Pechenken in 13.87.

Owen had been confident after winning both opening rounds in personal best times, including 14.14 in his semi-final. 'After the semi-finals I thought it was there to be won,' he said. 'I really thought I was going to win it.'

All four of Britain's sprinters progressed to the second round of the 200m, and there were victories for Katharine Merry and the 100m silver medallist, Darren Campbell.