28th August 2017

SILVER JOY FOR DAVIES ON FINAL DAY IN TAIPEI

A silver medal for Jonny Davies (University of Birmingham) in the 5000m brought a successful close to the athletics programme at the World University Games, with BUCS’ Great Britain and Northern Ireland team collecting three medals across the five days of action in Chinese Taipei.

After a bronze medal in the 1500m on Friday, Davies returned to the Taipei track in confident mood, and his all or nothing attitude worked wonders once again as he earned his second medal of the week in the 5000m.

The Briton showed his class in the closing stages to hold onto silver with those behind him finishing fast. As Francois Barrer of France took the gold in 14:00.86, Davies collected silver in 14:02.46 ahead of Andreas Vojta of Austria in 14:02.65.

Elsewhere, Melissa Courtney (Rob Denmark, Brunel University) ran an impressive race in the women’s 1500m, moving through to fifth position overall. In a cagey contest, the medals were decided in a thrilling final sprint for the line with a number of athletes in contention. The Briton worked superbly to move into fifth in 4:21.14 and was just over half a second outside the medal places. Serbia’s Amela Terzic grabbed the gold medal ahead of Uganda’s Docus Ajok.

Over in the field, Gregory Thompson (Neville Thompson, Maryland University) ended his campaign in Taipei with an eighth place finish in the discus final. With a mixed series, he managed a 56.57m on his first attempt before throwing his best in round three, an effort of 57.52m. That took him to three further efforts but three successive fouls meant he ended in eighth.

Full results from the World University Games can be found here

BUCS GBR Team medals

Silver

Jonathan Davies – Men’s 5000m

Bronze

Jonathan Davies – Men’s 1500m

Jessica Judd – Women’s 5000m