Matt Hudson-Smith revealed his damage battle after a courageous 400 metres silver – however insisted the world title slipped by his fingers.
Just as gold appeared to be his on the World Championships in Budapest, the 28-year-old was caught by Antonio Watson with simply metres left.
Hudson-Smith, who ran 44.31 seconds, was main down the ultimate straight however Jamaica’s Watson started to make floor with 50m remaining and snatched the lead with round 10m left.
The Briton, who had been battling Achilles tendonitis since May which threatened his hopes of competing in Hungary, struggled to cover his frustration.
“I came here looking for gold,” stated the double European champion. “You are never satisfied, you’re always going to want more. Even when you look back and go: ‘what if?’ I’m grateful but I know there’s more.
“It’s been a topsy-turvy year. I’ve had Achilles tendonitis really badly so that’s why I’ve been pulling up, that’s why I’ve been in a wheelchair in London (Diamond League). Sometimes I can’t walk, sometimes I can.
“My Achilles has been mashed up bad. This has been like a mental battle. I came for the gold, tired up (in the) last 30 (metres) but under the circumstances I can’t complain.
“It was do or die. I tried to find a gear but that’s what happens when you don’t really have races. I found an extra gear in the semi-finals but it’s not there yet. I’m going to finish off the season, aim to get 43 (seconds), finish off strong.”
Last yr, instantly after profitable world bronze in Eugene, the Wolverhampton runner revealed he struggled together with his psychological well being to the purpose the place he tried to take his personal life.
My Achilles has been mashed up dangerous. This has been like a psychological battle. I got here for the gold, drained up (within the) final 30 (metres) however underneath the circumstances I can’t complain
Matt Hudson-Smith
A bit greater than 13 months on and Hudson-Smith can name himself one of many world’s greatest, forward of subsequent yr’s Olympics in Paris.
He had set a brand new private better of 44.26 seconds within the semi-final, breaking a 36-year-old European document within the course of.
“Next year, we’ve got big plans. I’ve just got to stay healthy,” stated Hudson-Smith.
“That’s the moral of my story in my career, to stay healthy but we’re getting there. It’s just building consistency. Once I’m there, it will be 43s and golds.”
He added to the British medals after golds for Katarina Johnson-Thompson and Josh Kerr within the heptathlon and 1500m and Zharnel Hughes’ 100m bronze.
Earlier on Thursday, Ben Pattison reached the 800m remaining however Max Burgin and Daniel Rowden didn’t progress whereas Jamaica’s Danielle Williams claimed the ladies’s 100m hurdles title with the Netherlands’ Femke Bol profitable the ladies’s 400m hurdles.