St Mary’s University’s Andrew Osagie narrowly missed out on a place in the men’s 800m final at the IAAF World Indoor Championships in Doha, Qatar, last weekend.

The bumping and barging in Osagie’s semi-final saw him unable to find a way off the kerb and he was pipped for the third qualifying spot on the line by Olympic silverr medalist Ahmed Ismail, of Sudan.

Osagie, who clocked one minutes, 51.29 seconds, said: “I am so angry; I knew Ismail would have come through strong so I should have got myself ahead earlier on. It was silly.

However this is my first senior champs and if you’d have offered me fourth in the semi at the start I would have taken it. I felt very comfortable out there and wasn’t fazed.

Osagie had performed brilliantly in his heat on Friday 12 March to qualify for the semi final.

He took second place in the first heat to earn one of the automatic qualification spots.

He actually crossed in the line in third place but the disqualification of American champion Nick Symmonds for a lane violation promoted him to second although his time of 1:47.40, a new indoor personal best, would have been easily good enough to see him through as a fastest loser.

Osagie slotted into the third place at the break from lanes as Brazilian Davide Kleberson took the race out at a brisk place, taking the field through 400m in 51.99.

Andrew was passed by Nick Symmonds on the third lap as Ismail Ahmed Ismail of Sudan moved into the lead.

“As Kleberson faded Andrew regained third spot and finished strongly to ensure he crossed the line third behind Symmonds and Ismail who won in 1:46.69.

“After the heat Andrew said: That’s my first outing in a senior GB vest and I got a PB and qualified.

“It’s a good start to my international career, I knew I was in good shape and training has been going well. It’s awesome to run in a GB vest and there were so many British supporters shouting my name even though I’ve never met them and that’s great.”

Osagie is a member of Dame Kelly Holmes’ On Camp with Kelly scheme, backed by Aviva.

She said: “Andrew should be proud of what he has achieved at the World Indoors on his senior GB debut. Not only has he come away with a personal best, he has shown that he can compete with the world’s best.”

For more information about ‘On Camp with Kelly’ and latest news and updates go to www.oncampwithkelly.co.uk