Douglas Hits the Heights in Daegu

Matt Douglas did not let the disappointment of narrowly missing out on the World Championships afect his end of season peaking with a magnificent breakthrough at the World Univcersiade in Daegu, Korea.

His semi final victory in 48.54 elevated him to fourth on the British all time list in front of 1974 European Champion Alan Pascoe and indeed might well have qualified him for the Final in the IAAF World Championships if he could have performed to this level in Paris . This was also a best by a staggering 0.7 of a second and puts Douglas upto twelth on the 2003 world year list.

However, the Belgrave Harrier was not able to repeat quite this level of performance in the final with 49.25 claiming him a silver medal behind Dutchman Thomas Kortbeek, whose 48.95 gold medal winning time was another first run under 49 seconds.

Matt Douglas Leads at the LEAP Meet 2003t

Douglas had some compensation when adding a bronze medal in the 4x 400m alongside Brad Yiend - who had exited the 400h at the semi final stage with 50.91 - James Chatt and Adam Potter

31st August 2003