Scotland’s Jake Whitman has admitted that his world title victory eventually sunk into the Commonwealth Games. The 28-year-old, who won the 1500m gold medal at the World Championships in Eugene last month, advanced to Saturday’s final.
Wightman clocked 3:48.34 to win his heat at Alexander Stadium on Thursday. He was announced as the world champion by stadium commentator, dad, and coach Geoff, for the first time since his July victory in Oregon.
He added: “It was special, it was a confidence booster if you declare as. It’s most because this is what I’ve been waiting for, to be declared as world champion, and be like: ‘Yeah, I really did’.
“It was nice to hang out with a lot of people coming up to me and saying: ‘Well done.’ I still got less enthusiasm than Matt Stoneyer of England, but I think there are more English fans than Scottish fans.
“I felt I should dictate it at some point and I was surprised that we went so slow as the second heat because there are people who should be known as the fastest losers who will not. Sometimes It’s hard to be motivated because there’s so much more to lose than gain so it’s good to be there, feel good and deserve to be comfortable.”
Teammate Josh Kerr, who won Olympic bronze last year, qualified in 3:37.84 seconds, with Neil Gourley leading and England’s Elliot Giles and Stoneyer too.
Ellen Thompson-Herrah, who won the 100m title on Wednesday, reached the semifinals of the 200m with a time of 22.80m. Scotland’s Beth Dobbins also qualified for Friday’s semi-finals at 23.10.
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On the men’s side, European champion Jarnel Hughes ran 20.30 to win his 200 m heat, while Adam Jamiely won his heat in 20.92.
“It was a nice easy run, I qualified well which was the plan,” Hughes said. “There’s no need for statements, it’s not going to be for you in the final if you make the statement now. When the final comes, you let the beast out.”