Grace Clements revels in Commonwealth Games experience
by Alex Hoad
Commonwealth Games bronze
medallist Grace Clements said she would have been happy had she
come last in the heptathlon in India.
The 26-year-old Dartford Harrier produced consistent
performances in all seven disciplines on Friday and Saturday to
take third overall with a personal best of 5,819 points.
Clements came sixth in the 100m
hurdles in 14.18sec before finishing fourth in the high jump and
shot put with 1.72m and 12.78m respectively.
She was seventh in the 200m in
25.88 but took third in the long jump with 6m and second in the
javelin with 43.67m.
She consolidated her medal place
after finishing second in the 800m in a fine 2min 16.06sec, well
adrift of England team-mate Louise Hazel, who took gold with 6,156,
56 points clear of Canadian Jessica Zelinka in second.
Clements, who collected her bronze
on Sunday with her parents looking on, said: "The whole experience
was special for me, especially as my mum and dad were able to be
here."
The former Dartford Grammar School
for Girls pupil added: "I came here with no expectations on me and
no pressure.
"I went out to enjoy myself and
enjoyed the experience.
"I didn’t know what to expect but
it was great competing in a big stadium in front of a big crowd. I
had three Indians in my competition and it was heartwarming to see
the support they were getting.
"I would have still enjoyed the
experience if I’d come last but to come away with a medal is
special.
"I hoped the occasion might help
bring out some personal bests but at the same time I didn’t want to
crumble under the pressure of a big competition.
"I didn’t set personal bests, I was
just consistently quite good.
"I guess that’s the point of
combined events. I managed to get through without any disasters and
I set a personal best overall."
13/10/10