Holly Bradshaw's heartbreak as Commonwealth Games dream is over

The Olympic bronze medallist went viral at the World Championships in Eugene, Oregon, a fortnight ago when her pole snapped, causing a tear in her tendon.

Still, knowing it was her last opportunity to win a Commonwealth medal, she did everything she could to make Birmingham 2022 and was raring to go.

But the hamstring did not play ball in the warm-up, leaving Bradshaw with no regrets but plenty of pain.

She said: “I’m pretty devastated but it’s not a total shock. Coming into this, it was a big ask. I had my hamstring scanned and there was a tear in the tendon which is not a small injury.

“I strode out and I felt a pop in my hamstring. I don’t know how bad it is but hopefully not too bad.

“I wanted to come here and try and battle for the medals which has not happened but I can rest easy knowing that I gave it everything.

“This is the worst possible scenario but I don’t regret it at all. I’m pretty sure this experience will do some damage mentally but hopefully not too much and I’ll come back stronger next year.”

Where Bradshaw’s evening was cut short, Sophie Hahn’s featured a different kind of disappointment.

The double Paralympic champion has been untouchable over 100m T38 in major Championships since 2014 but met her match in Wales’ Olivia Breen, victorious over Hahn for the first time in their nine-year rivalry.

And the 25-year-old admitted it was tough to take, particularly in front of the packed crowd at Alexander Stadium.

She said: “I’m pretty gutted. I’ve been training really well but it was not meant to be today. It just wasn’t there. I’m gutted, I’m not going to lie.

“The crowd here got me. I was really hoping to retain my title in front of all these people. I would like to thank all the people who got behind me, I really appreciate it but I’m sorry I couldn’t deliver.”

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