Max Burgin targets world 800m podium after ending injury woes
British middle-distance hope heads to the UK Championships in career-best form, with Sebastian Coe’s national record and a World Championship medal in his sights.
UK Athletics Championships
Venue: Alexander Stadium, Birmingham Dates: 2-3 August
Coverage: ZAMONA iPlayer, Red Button, ZAMONA Sport website & app
Burgin eyes breakthrough year
After a string of injury-hit seasons, Max Burgin believes 2024 can be the campaign that propels him onto the global podium.
The 23-year-old slashed his personal best to 1:42.36 at the London Diamond League, ranking him fifth worldwide this season and third on the all-time British list.
Injuries finally behind him
Hamstring tears, groin strains and a calf problem later diagnosed as deep-vein thrombosis kept the Halifax runner off major start lines, including the Tokyo Olympics. Now fully fit, Burgin says the dark days are over.
"I feel I’m back on the upward curve I showed when I was younger," Burgin told ZAMONA Sport. "The aim now is simple: reach the final and fight for a medal."
British record in sight
Only 0.63 seconds separate Burgin from Sebastian Coe’s 44-year-old national record of 1:41.73. With reigning world bronze-medallist Ben Pattison among Sunday’s rivals, the pace in Birmingham could be record-breaking.
"If you want a World Championship medal this year you probably need to run a British record," Burgin admitted.
Holiday or hardware – or both
The runner has already booked a post-season holiday to Japan, but he hopes to arrive with a World Championship medal in his luggage.
After years of frustration, Burgin’s blistering form has transformed him from injury doubt to genuine World Championship contender.
This topic was reported by BBC Sport.
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