Bow’s Perri Shakes-Drayton says was satisfied with her second-place finish at the British Athletics Glasgow International Match on Saturday.
In her first 400 metres race of the indoor season, the 24-year-old was closely pipped to the line by USA’s serial gold medallist Natasha Hastings.
Hastings recorded a world-leading time of 52.11 seconds – finishing just in front of Shakes-Drayton (52.13), while Yulia Terekhova from Russia was third in 52.85.
The Victoria Park Harriers & Tower Hamlets star’s preferred discipline is the 400m hurdles, an event which she has won a European bronze medal in.
And Shakes-Drayton revealed Saturday’s flat race at the Emirates Arena made for a refreshing change.
“It was good to do something different,” said Shakes-Drayton, a 4x400m relay gold medallist at 2012’s World Indoor Championships.
“I’ve always been the person in that last spot for the 400m relay, so to be given a chance to prove myself over 400m individual – and to run a decent time – I’m pleased with that.
“I enjoyed it; I put in a decent run. I would have loved to win, but it was very close.”
Shakes-Drayton’s second-placed points could only help Great Britain & Northern Ireland finish third overall behind USA and winners Russia.
The team was captained by Newham & Essex Beagles high-jumper Robbie Grabarz who cleared 2.29m to finish second behind Russia’s Aleksey Dmitrik (2.31m).
“It was nice to be challenged in my first competition,” said Grabarz who won a bronze medal at London 2012.
“I took a risk and passed a bar to try and win it because I was in second place on count back.
“It was great fun and I enjoyed myself. It’s a good solid opener. It was a good atmosphere so it was really enjoyable.”
Meanwhile, Beagles sprint hurdler Gianni Frankis was fourth in 7.78.
He said: “My training has been going well and I felt good. I was a bit surprised by my time.”
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