"Be Brave": Donovan's gutsy run sends him through to World Champs semis

Credit Sam Mellish | British Athletics 

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Tyri Donovan is revelling in the week of his life after setting a new personal best and qualifying for the 400m hurdles semi-finals at the World Athletics Championships.

The Windsor, Slough, Eton and Hounslow (WSEH AC) sprinter is at his first global event and dived across the line at the end of a closely fought race in Tokyo to join teammate Alastair Chalmers in Wednesday’s semis.

The 26-year-old studied translation at the University of Surrey, with a focus on Japanese, but it did not help assuage the anxiety as he waited for the leaderboard to update the results in English.

Eventually, he discovered he was through, continuing a brilliant season that has already brought a first Novuna UK Championships title.

After multiple seasons lost to a string of major injuries, Donovan is in his prime and fully intends to make the most of every opportunity.

“That's another part of the process which I'm really proud of,” said Donovan, who also works as a data analyst at a utilities company.

“Everything from coming out here to represent my country, being what I believe is the most beautiful country in the world, and being able to be part of the culture and experience it first-hand is incredible.

“Now that I'm in my mid-20s, I've got everything a little bit more settled now. I want to look towards getting into full-time sport as well as balancing what I have outside of sport because I think that's where I feel the beauty of both energy.

“I think it's more inspired me to be proud of the man I'm becoming, as well as the athlete.

“I don't really get on too many holidays, just from the balance of doing full-time work and doing full-time sport.

“So, when I get an appetiser coming out to these places to perform, I'm getting out to see the world whilst I'm putting work in.”

Donovan has shown resilience in bucketloads to overcome from a serious back injury and has been rewarded for his efforts.

He has become British champion in August, set a personal best of 48.46 seconds and also broken the 49-second barrier on multiple occasions.

In his first-round race, he went even quicker. He paced the race impressively before emptying the tank down the home straight.

With Qatar’s Abderrahman Samba clear at the front, there were four athletes locked in a close fight for second – with only three of them automatically qualifying.

As the line approached, Donovan dived forwards and finished second by the barest of margins in a new PB of 48.26s – the fourth fastest of anyone.

“I'd say that's what the sport's about, being gutsy, trying to be brave,” he said.

“That's what I've been working on in the summer, making sure I'll be patient.

“I had that strength down in the last 100, and say credit to my team, and the British staff this week, because I'm new to the squad.

“I had a very strong finish, I was against very quick, very seasoned, international runners. So, I had to perform, be brave in the last 100, and thankfully my long arms pulled through.”

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