The Electronic Telegraph Saturday 21 July 2001 Brendan Gallagher MARK LEWIS-FRANCIS may have failed to beat Dwain Chambers' world junior 100 metre record last night but insisted he is in the form of his life after winning the European Junior Championship title with a wind-assisted time of 10.09sec. After one blatant false start and a close call on the second attempt to start the race, Lewis-Francis dwelled in his blocks long and hard before blasting down the track to overhaul improving German Tim Goebel. A following wind of 2.4 metres denied the Birmingham teenager a personal best but after missing out on the European title two years ago, when he took silver, Lewis-Francis was delighted to add another title to the World Junior Championship he won in Chile last October. "I know I am now racing against top seniors all the time and people were surprised when I decided to compete here, but you're only young once and I was determined to make up for two years ago," he said. "I didn't want to be looking back in a few years time wondering about junior championships and what should have been. "Tim has been running really well this year and I knew there would be a fight for the gold. It was a matter of pride to prove that I am still the top junior. "I have still got another year to beat Dwain's mark but it will have to come in a senior competition now. "I am so glad I came here. It's all great experience. I was very nervous, especially after my false start, but I am beginning to feel more confident as I get all these championships under my belt. "I am tired - especially after the world trials last weekend - but I am exactly where I want to be at this stage of the season. All I need now is three or four days' sleep and then it is off to Edmonton with high hopes of a quick time and doing well for Britain." Behind Goebel and bronze medallist Igor Blazevic, from Croatia, came Britain's Tyron Edgar, fourth in 10.35. More good news for the British team arrived soon after Lewis-Francis's victory when Cardiff's Tim Benjamin took the men's 400m in 46.46, a performance that could yet earn the former world junior 200m bronze medallist a place in Britain's 400m relay squad in Edmonton. There were also British performances of note in the women's 400m, where Lisa Miller took silver in a personal best of 53.29 and Kim Wall was in close attendance, winning the bronze in 53.52, also a personal best. Eamonn Condon www.RunnersGoal.com
