Josh Faulds, the 26-year-old from Rugby, responded to his Commonwealth Games disappointment with a commanding performance in Birmingham, winning his 400 metres hurdles heat in 48.90 seconds to qualify fastest for the semi-finals.
The Novuna GB & NI Team athlete was disqualified in the heats at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, but he showed his resilience on home soil, clocking the quickest time of the session at the Alexander Stadium.
Overcoming Self-Doubt
Faulds admitted to experiencing self-doubt in the build-up to his biggest event of the year, but he believes he can now build on this eye-catching display. "It's hard coming off the back of Commies, probably one of my worst races of the year, in such an important place," he said. "I didn't want to waste two Championships and you have to learn from these experiences."
He added: "It was hard for me mentally to switch back on in terms of being like 'I am good, I do deserve to be here'. I've had good people around me the last couple of days who have really helped me sort myself out in terms of believing I'm good enough."
A Statement of Intent
Faulds' heat time of 48.90 seconds was the fastest of the round, ensuring a more favourable lane draw for the semi-finals as he bids to reach Friday's final. "I have run 48.9 from lane two so let's see what I can do from five or six," he said. "I will be a bit wider, can put a bit more gas through the gears and turn on that bottom bend and see what happens."
The Rugby athlete has previous pedigree on the big stage, having won European indoor bronze as part of the mixed 4x400m relay quartet in Apeldoorn last year. He also finished as national runner-up in the men's 400m hurdles at the Alexander Stadium earlier this year.
Faulds acknowledged the support he has received, saying: "At the end of the day, I have run 48.5, I am good enough and I have proved myself. The only person I have to prove it to is myself. I get quite caught up in my own head about certain things and I find it really hard to use people but they just want the best for me. I know they are not going to laugh at me, they are going to help me, that's what they are there for. Everyone is here for me. I have so many people here and it's nice to put on a good performance for them and make it worth their trip."
Novuna is the Official Finance Partner of British Athletics and proud sponsor of the GB & NI Athletics Team.
