Welsh athlete Ben Thomas booked his place in the 2000m steeplechase final in dramatic fashion at the European Under-18 Athletics Championships in Hungary.

The Ysgol Y Strade, Llanelli, pupil was pushed into a barrier during some jostling early on in the race and came to a complete halt.

However, the young man showed great composure and recovered superbly to display huge grit and determination to get back into contention.

Thomas eventually finished seventh in heat two, clocking a time of 6:01.47, just four seconds outside his season’s best time of 5:57.81 in winning the British Milers’ Club PB Classic at Milton Keynes in June.

He said: “It was very tough; I had to really pick it up over the last three or four laps as I came to a halt as I was pushed into a barrier.

“The whole group slowed down and I was just pushed a little, so I had to go back and jump over the barrier again. But as long as I am through as a fastest loser, it doesn’t matter now.

“I’m excited about the final but as long as I can set a PB, I’ll be happy.”

This was one of three championship qualifying times he gained as well as winning the  England Athletics U20/23 Championships in Bedford

The Carmarthen Harrier will now celebrate his 17th birthday today by preparing for the final on Sunday evening.

Earlier in the evening, Cardiff AAC’s Kiara Frizelle finished 13th in a high quality 3,000m final which saw the top six athletes all post personal bests.

Ireland’s Sarah Healy won the race, which took place in torrential rain, in a championship best time of 9:18.05. Frizelle clocked a time of 9:51.08.
Frizelle registered her qualifying standard with an impressive time of 9:36.12 at the British Milers Club PB classic in Street.