Canadian decathlete Warner learns from worlds
Inexperience and nerves played a part in Damian Warner's second day decathlon competition as he struggled his way to an 18th place finish at the world track and field championships on Sunday.
He had begun the day in 9th place.
Warner's total score of 7,832 points was well below his personal best of 8,102, but he improved his mark in the pole vault at 4.50 metres.
"I was not too pleased with my performance but overall it was just the best experience of my life," Warner said. "I just learned so much from this competition compared to the last and to come out here and compete with the best in the world has been awesome.
"I was talking to them [the other athletes]. They were telling me how they deal with the time change, the different food – everything. Romain Barras from France was helping me with my running. It is all good to know."
Trey Hardee of the United States successfully defended his world title in the decathlon with a score of 8,602 while his teammate Ashton Eaton claimed the silver medal.
Still, the 21-year-old Warner has time on his side. No doubt he will return to his hometown of London, Ont., and review his performance with an eye to improving next year at the Olympics.
Canadians absent from finals
Canadians found the level of competition a formidable challenge all day. None advanced to the finals in their respective events.
Julie Labonté, like Warner, arrived in Daegu, South Korea looking for her first taste of international experience. The reigning NCAA indoor and outdoor shot put champion expected to beat her personal best of 18.31 metres in the qualifying round, but fell short. The automatic qualifying standard was 18.65 metres; Labonté had to be content with 18.04.
"I was expecting more than my personal best but I still did 18.04 metres so that is my fourth best ever," she said. "That's still good. I think coming here was a great experience. I am not in the top twelve and throwing 18.04 that's still good for me so I am really happy."
While Labonté leaves her first world championship with the consolation of knowing she can throw near her best on the big occasion, another Canadian field event athlete was not so fortunate.
Kelsie Hendry cleared 4.25 metres in the women's pole vault qualifying, then missed three times at 4.40 metres. She needed to clear 4.50 metres to get into the final. The native of Saskatchewan holds the Canadian record of 4.55 metres.
After national champion Sam Effah withdrew from the men's 100 metres due to a lingering hamstring injury, it was up to Justyn Warner to carry Canadian hopes in the event.
The 24-year-old was given instruction in dealing with top level athletics when he lined up in the third of three semi-final races. Warner was up against Jamaica's Nesta Carter — who has run 9.78 seconds for the distance — Justin Gatlin — the 2004 Olympic champion — and 2003 world champion Kim Collins of St. Kitt's and Nevis.
Collins stunned the field winning in a time of 10.08 seconds with Carter taking the other automatic qualifying place for the final in 10.16. Warner was left behind finishing 8th in 10.47 seconds.
"I am kind of disappointed with how I ran today," Warner said. "It was poorly executed but I am staying positive. It was a great experience. I am still young, I still have got a couple of years to build on it. I am going to go back to the drawing board with my coaches. I know what I can do for next year and the bigger picture is London.
"I started pretty well. My start was OK. I didn't change and move into my next phase. I don't know why not. It happens. It's going to take the experience and move on to next year."
Warner, a student at Texas Christian University, will now turn his attention to the 4x100-metre relay later in the week in Daegu.