Jessie Knight did not do things easily but she got the job done as she booked her place in the semi-finals of the Olympic 400m hurdles.

The Epsom athlete was going in the repechage in the event, and knew that only a top-two finish would be enough to progress.

When she cleared the final hurdle, that looked like it would be out of her reach, but a monumental finish saw Knight chase down Panama’s Gianna Woodruff and pip her on the line.

Knight’s time of 55.10 was five thousandths better than Woodruff, who admitted that she was far from convinced that she had done enough.

She said: “I pulled it off by the skin of my teeth and live to fight another day.

“It was pretty special. I didn’t think I’d done it but I also knew I couldn’t have given more. So whether it went the right way or not, I’d have walked away quite proud. I’ve waited three years for this moment so I’m happy.

“It wasn’t in the plan to be that close missing the semi-final but it’s quite an exciting way of doing it. I’m really happy.

“I knew the girl on the inside is a previous world finalist. She’s not been in the best form this year but you can’t write these people off. It wasn’t a shock but I have faith in my second half of the race. I often move some places in the final two hurdles, I just charged and hoped for the best.”

Knight was competing in the repechage, introduced for the first time at these Games instead of the previous system which saw fastest losers join the automatic qualifiers in the next round.

That means an extra run for those who do not get the job done at the first attempt, but while it was very nervy, Knight enjoyed the spectacular nature of her qualification.

She added: “I would have qualified with the normal qualification yesterday however that was fun and ultimately sport is supposed to be fun. For the spectators, it’s a great addition. And everyone is evenly matched so it’s intense but I think it’s really good for the sport.

“I felt a little bit heavy-legged but it was a really emotional morning, I wasn’t ready for my journey to be over. Now I’ve got into that semi-final, I feel like it’s almost level playing field again, we are all standing there in the same position. I’ve got a day and a half, that’s a long time, and I’ve got the best team around me to get me ready.” 

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