"I KNOW I can run faster but I'm not going to put any pressure on myself," Julian Golding told the News Shopper after the disappointment of finishing third in the European Championships. Three weeks later and the 23-year-old Blackheath Harrier is the Commonwealth Games 200m champion, writes John Thynne.

Golding turned on the style in the final on Saturday, setting a new personal best of 20.18s and claiming his place among the world's top sprinters. He was followed home by 19-year-old world junior champion Christian Malcolm (20.28s) and veteran John Regis (20.4s) in third place.

Regis had led Golding around the bend but as the straight unfurled, the wiry Londoner stepped up a gear to become the third quickest ever British 200m runner. His time would have been even faster had he not raised both arms in triumph as he crossed the line.

On Monday Golding, Marlon Devonish, Dwain Chambers and Darren Campbell took more gold medals for England, setting a new games record of 38.29s in the 4x100m relay.

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