Final spot for Okoye
Lawrence Okoye underlined his medal credentials with an impressive final throw in discus qualifying.
Last Updated: 06/08/12 2:50pm
Lawrence Okoye underlined his medal credentials with an impressive final throw in discus qualifying in the Olympic Stadium.
The 20-year-old produced a throw of 65.28 metres with his third attempt, the fourth furthest of qualification, to go through to the final automatically.
The former rugby player, who has deferred a place at Oxford to study law to concentrate on athletics, is appearing in his first major championship in his home town.
He improved his British record to 68.24m in May and his qualifying throw was little more than a metre down on Estonia's Gerd Kanter's longest effort.
"It was unbelievable, really tough. The standard this year is much higher than it's ever been," he said.
"It took a lot to get through and I'm glad to get the job done. Tomorrow I have a bigger job to do with the big guys coming through.
"It's going to be tough to get amongst them but I am ready to do it."
Disappointing
However, Welshman Brett Morse and Abdul Buhari crashed out after finishing down the field.
Morse registered only one legal throw of just 58.18m, way down on his season's best of 64.35m.
Morse said his performance was "very disappointing really".
He added: "In the first round I walked in and wound up and the crowd just went mental so I was a little nervous on that throw. I didn't actually hit any of the throws properly.
"I think I just rushed the finish, I was a little excited maybe, I don't know."
Buhari fared slightly better but his final throw of 60.08 was short of the required mark.
Bukhari said: "I have to go away and think about preparing myself technically.
My warm-ups were awesome but I think I tightened up in my three throws."