Greene pleased with world debut

ATHLETICS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
Venue: Olympic Stadium, Berlin Date: 15-23 August
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David Greene's progress over the past two years was hampered by injury

David Greene completed his transformation to world class status as the Welsh athlete finished seventh at the World Championships in Berlin.

American Keeron Clement successfully defended his 400m hurdles crown with a season's best time of 47.91 seconds ahead of Javier Culson.

Greene ran a time of 48.68 seconds but admitted afterwards: "I seemed to run out of steam after 200 metres.

"Usually when I hit 200m I can kick on but I didn't have it in my legs today."

Greene was first at the Spar European Team Championships earlier this year but the 12th World Championships in Germany was the 23-year-old's first major tournament.

But Greene's season's best time of 48.27 seconds ensured the Welshman is the fastest man in Europe in 2009 as expectations grew ahead of the Berlin showpiece.

The Swansea Harrier runner admitted himself: "I came here with the intention of making the final and my expectations were raised when I made it through the semi-finals. But sadly it wasn't to be.

"I know people are saying how far I'd come in a short space of time because 12 months ago I hadn't even made the World Championship Qualifying standard - so to go from that to this is fantastic.

"But I'll certainly be a little disappointed over the next few days however, in hindsight, I can't be too downhearted.

"I've got high expectations and I thoroughly believe I can go faster and get nearer to and beat that British record."

Olympic silver medalist Clement ran the fastest time in 2009 at the world final to beat Puerto Rican Culson into second as American Bershawn Jackson, third at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, also claimed the bronze in Berlin.

European number one Greene finished behind Trinidad teenager Jehue Gordon, Periklis Iakovakis of Greece, Jamaica's Danny Mcfarlane while Felix Sanchez of the Dominican Republic finished last.