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Adam Gemili not pressing the panic button after British Championships 200m defeat by Danny Talbot

Adam Gemili insists he is far from hitting the panic button after Danny Talbot sprang a surprise in the 200m to get the better of the sub-20 second man at the Sainsbury’s British Championships on Saturday.

In his first set of 200m races this year, Gemili ran 20.6sec in the national final in damp conditions – two hundredths behind GB team-mate Talbot.

But, if Birmingham’s Alexander Stadium did not see him at his best, Gemili has vowed to hit his peak for the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

Adam Gemili in action. Picture: Stephen Pond/Getty Images
Adam Gemili in action. Picture: Stephen Pond/Getty Images

There are still four weeks to prepare and Gemili, who stormed to a personal-best 19.98 at the World Championships last year to become just the second sub-20 Brit ever, is unfazed by the defeat.

"It’s not really a shock. I didn’t run the cleanest of bends and I felt a little bit of cramp – I don’t think I managed my hydration as well as I could have," said Gemili, who hopes to compete throughout the Summer Series – events proudly backed by long-term supporter Sainsbury’s.

"But second place and in that weather 20.6 is good. I ran a 20.7 on Friday and that was a bit of a jog. So I know I’ve got a lot more to come.

"And Danny Talbot has been one of my best mates in the sport for the last year. He’s been unlucky making teams, so for him to come and win it, I’m so happy for him.

"I’ve got the Diamond League and I can get things better for there, then I can get things right for the Commonwealths and the Europeans if I’m selected.

"In the European Under-23s last year I came fourth in that final, and a couple of weeks later I make the World Championships final. So it happens with racing. It’s not as easy as just saying it – it comes down to hard work. But I’m happy for now."

Meanwhile, Dartford’s Scott Rider landed a Sainsbury’s British Championships gold medal at the fifth time of trying in the shot put. Rider is also Glasgow-bound and the 36-year-old is determined to pull out all the stops in what could be his last crack at the Commonwealths.

"I’ve desperately tried to win this for a lot of years," said Rider, who finished eighth overall in Delhi four years ago. "I’ve got loads of silver medals but never won the gold.

"I’m really looking forward to the Commonwealths, I’ll be 37 in September so it could be the last one I do.

"I’ve just got to keep working. I’ve been throwing the shot really flat and I’m trying to work out ways of lifting it. I’m really rushing the delivery and jabbing at it. I just need to relax."

Sainsbury’s is proud to support British Athletics through the Summer Series events and committed to helping young people lead healthier, more active lifestyles. For more information visitwww.sainsburys.co.uk/legacy

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