The six-time British champion finished in an off-colour 49.71sec. for seventh in his 400m hurdles semi-final, where he had been leading at the fifth barrier before quietly slipping from contention.
Chalmers had lined up at a sweltering Alexander Stadium ranked fifth in Europe and with comparatively fresh legs due to receiving a bye through the heats.
But if he was to achieve his ambition and push for a medal, he would have to negotiate a particularly tough semi-final, headed by Germany’s Emil Agyekum but also featuring two other known sub-48sec. runners.
Two automatic qualifying spots were available in each of the three ‘semis’, with the last two spots in the final to be awarded based on time.
Chalmers went out with intent from lane eight and soon overtook initial leader Carl Bengtstrom of Sweden, with the favourite from Germany finally taking control by the sixth barrier but the Sarnian remaining well-positioned until the top bend.
After reaching hurdle eight in fifth, he was unable to call upon his characteristic finish and dropped further positions on the windswept home straight.
Agyekum won in 48.17, while Italy’s Alessandro Sibilio took second in 48.44 as the only other qualifier from that semi-final.
Sweden’s Oskar Edlund won the first semi-final in a national record of 47.81.
Meanwhile, world record-holder Karsten Warholm was the unsurprising victor of the third semi-final, easing home in 48.01.
You need to be logged in to comment.