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Mid-Kent College 400m hurdler Jack Green is desperate to put a recent tumble in Germany to the back of his mind this week as he kicks-off his European Junior Championship charge in Novi Sad.
The 17-year-old from Maidstone, who has a career best time of 51.72 seconds set in Loughborough earlier this year, hit a hurdle in Mannheim on June 14 when well-placed to strike a major psychological blow over some of Europe’s finest.
Green, who is part of a 65-strong Team GB squad heading for Serbia, limped home in a hugely disappointing time of 66.66 seconds following his fall.
But the Kent Athletics Club ace insists his German nightmare has been erased from his memory as he heads to Novi Sad in search of silverware.
"You have to take a fall in the hurdles and I had never taken one before," said Green. "I am pretty glad I got it out of the way in Germany and not in Serbia this week.
"I can’t wait to compete because I feel like I have a good chance of winning a medal of some description.
"I was running really well in Germany when I fell so I am taking the positives from it.
"I was in the process of making a statement because I was going to beat the European number one – that’s why I’m not worrying about the fall."
Green insists nerves won’t get the better of him in Serbia as prepares to lock horns with Europe’s finest sprinters.
The teenager admits he’s a man on a mission in Novi Sad, desperate to ensure he takes a European Championship chance with both hands.
"I know what I am capable of and I am just really looking forward to going out there and showing everyone what I can do. I want to do myself justice." added Green.
LLOYDS TSB is providing £1,000 to over 270 emerging young sportspeople identified each year across Britain, in the run up to London 2012 and beyond. Visit Lloydstsb.com/Localheroes