THERE was frustration for city athletes David King and Mike Wilsmore at the British Indoor Championships in Sheffield on Saturday.

King had hopes of making the Great Britain team for next month’s World Indoor Championships after running 7.66 seconds for the 60m hurdles earlier in the month. That ranked him as one of three British athletes in the world’s top 25.

However, the 21-year-old was not able to lower that time or finish in the top two on Saturday to secure his place on the plane to Portland.

King had to settle for fourth place in a competitive 60m hurdles final in Sheffield.

Andrew Pozzi ran a season’s best to win in 7.61 seconds, with Lawrence Clarke equally his best for the year with 7.65 seconds and European Under-23 champion David Omoregie third in 7.71. King was just behind in 7.76. 

After his victory, Great Britain senior international Pozzi said: “I knew that Lawrence (Clark) and the two Davids (Omoregie and King) were going to be really strong, so it means a lot to me.

“That one was really hard for me, just in terms of preparation so I am absolutely delighted.”

Meanwhile, Wilsmore was disappointed not to make the final of the men’s 1,500m.

The Tamar Trotter, who also runs for Bristol & West, went into the event with a season’s best time of 3:48.47.

However, in a slow and tactical first heat, Wilsmore got out-sprinted and missed out on the final by less than three-tenths of a second.

Just the top three were guaranteed a place in the final, with the remaining spots going to fastest losers.

Wilsmore finished fourth in the first heat with 3:55.85. Dale Clutterbuck won the heat in 3:54.92, Lewis Moses was second in 3:55.31 and James Brewer third with 3:55.50.

But, knowing the times they had to run, all the fastest loser spots went to runners in the second heat, which was much quicker.

Wilsmore was disappointed with his positioning during the race and for starting too slowly.

He later said on social media: “I messed up today and didn’t make the final of the 1,500m at the British Champs, but I have learnt a lot from it for next time.

“On a positive note it’s great to be competing at this level again against some great athletes and there is more to come I’m sure.”