Story by Jonathan Wong/YOG News Room
Victoria Ohuruogu in action during her 400m heat. Victoria could only manage a third place finish and will not progress to the “A” final. (Photo 1 © Marvin Lowe/Red Sports)
Bishan Stadium, Wednesday, August 18, 2010 — It was meant to be Victoria Ohuruogu’s coming-out party — the day she would show the world that she was heir apparent to older sister Christine, the 400m Olympic champion in Beijing.
But V (for victory) signs were put on hold after the 17-year-old failed to qualify for the girls’ 400m final yesterday.
The East Londoner, who has made no secret about her desire to take on her sister at the 2012 London Olympics, clocked 55.56sec to finish third in her heat at the Bishan Stadium.
It was well short of her 54.17sec personal best and saw England’s 400m indoor Under-20 champion finish 10th overall among the 27 runners.
Nigeria’s Bukola Abogunloko, 16, was the fastest qualifier with a dominant 53.06sec run.
Only the top eight qualified for Saturday’s A final, with South African Izelle Neuhoff, 16, securing the final slot thanks to her 55.01sec effort.
Victoria said: “I didn’t know the Nigerian girl was going to go out as hard as she did.”
“I tried holding on to her as best I could, and, yeah, I tried,” she added before heading to the changing room.
Said UK Athletics team leader Jo Jennings: “She’s upset with herself. She didn’t perform to her best.”
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