Dethroned defending World champion Ryan Brathwaite has attributed his early exit at the 2011 World Championships to niggling hamstring and groin injuries, he simply couldn’t overcome.
In an interview immediately after the first round of the men’s 110-metre hurdles in Daegu, South Korea, Brathwaite told The Runner’s Tribe magazine the injury combination had affected his training and execution.
“I still have a hamstring and groin injury,” he said. “I tried to run it relaxed, but I didn’t know it would be so tough. I was trying my best to work hard, but the little mingles and tingles . . . .
“I hope that I get in the semi-finals and then show something a bit better.”
That was not to be. With a time of 13.57 seconds, Brathwaite was fifth in his heat and 18th overall. He missed the cut by two places.
“It affected the season really bad, plus I was overweight,” the 2009 World champion said.
“I was training in Canada for the preparations. It worked a little bit, but seeing the injuries going off and on . . . I’m just trying to work hard again.”
He also revealed there was a lot of pressure to perform and defend his title. (SAT)
Read the full story in today’s SUN ON SATURDAY.
