Clarke-Khan taking positives despite European disappointment

Joel Clarke-Khan insists the joy of his breakthrough athletics season outweighs the pain of the 'worst possible outcome' after enduring a night of mixed emotions in Munich. The Worcester high jump star reached the European Championship final but finished joint-bottom after failing to clear the bar on any of his attempts.

Ad Clarke-Khan, 22, soared into the final with a leap of 2.21m in his Tuesday semi-final but was unable to clear a height of 2.18m when the big stage pressure was on. AthleticsAsher-Smith says European 200m silver does not reflect her fitness levels41 MINUTES AGO The two-time defending national champion represented Great Britain at both World and European level this summer and with a hometown Commonwealth Games also under his belt, is determined to take the positives heading into 2023 and beyond.

Clarke-Khan, whose career is supported by Pitching In, a grassroots investment programme set up by Entain — owner of Ladbrokes and Coral — in partnership with SportsAid, said: «Obviously, tonight is the worst possible outcome. »But all I can think about now is that I am finished and this season has been more than I could ever have imagined.

«If you would have told me eight months ago that I would have represented Great Britain at the Worlds and Europeans, and England at a home Commonwealth Games, I wouldn't have believed you. »And I've reached a European final too, so although there is disappointment with tonight, the overriding feeling is that I'm happy with my season." Clarke-Khan got his summer season off to a flyer by defending his British National Championships title in Manchester back in June.