Forbes knocked out of 110-metre hurdles

(CNS): Ronald Forbes toppled the last hurdle in the quarterfinal of the 110-meter Men’s hurdles at Beijing, knocking him out of the race. He finished the second round with a time of 13.72 seconds and an overall ranking of 26 out of 30 hurdlers. Forbes said he felt really good going into the race, and though he didn’t get as good a start as he did in the preliminary round he made ground to join the pack.

"13.51 was what made it back in and I was pretty sure I was faster than 13.51," Forbes told Cayman Islands Olympic Committee Journalist Shurna Robbins after the race. "But that last hurdle stood right in the way. It was nobody’s fault except mine. I know exactly what I did wrong. Unfortunately it had to happen tonight."

Cayman Islands Coach Kenrick Williams said he thought Forbes got overconfident. “He was clear in 3rd or 4th position, but he was so aggressive over the last hurdle – I think that is what did him in," he said. "It is nobody’s fault. It’s just that you really want to get to the line, but you have one more hurdle to climb before you get to that line."

In recent weeks, Forbes has struggled with an injury but came back strong to set a new national record and a personal best in the first round in the 110 hurdles. In just one season, Forbes had stepped up his performance, reducing his time from 14.28 down to 13.59, which is the equivalent of a bus length in the sport says Forbes.

"Going what I went through this season – I thought it was an amazing season and that is basically how I have to wrap it up," said Forbes.

American David Oliver ran a strong quarterfinal heat in 13.16 seconds to advance along with world record-holder Dayron Robles of Cuba (13.19). American David Payne (13.24) also advanced, as well as Jamaica’s Maurice Wignall (13.36), and Ryan Brathwaite of Barbados (13.44). The semifinals takes place Wednesday and the finals on Thursday 21 August.