COLLIS Birmingham will contest the IAAF World Indoor Championship 3000m final in Poland.
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Birmingham finished sixth in his heat overnight and, with top four heat placings advancing to the final, he sealed his spot as one of the next fastest four qualifiers.
His final is at 2.10am on Monday morning (Ballarat time).
Enjoyed my first run on the boards. Glad I get to go round again in 2 days! Thanks for the pre race laughs @AndyVernonGB, great run!
— Collis Birmingham (@cjbirmingham) March 7, 2014
The Ballarat athlete clocked an indoor 3000m personal best of seven minutes, 46.15 seconds in heat one in Sopot.
Reigning world indoor champion Kenyan Augustine Kiprono Choge topped the heat in a time of 7:44.85 - a time beaten by all six qualifiers in heat two, which was won by Kenyan Caleb Mwangangi Ndiku in 7:42.75.
This is Birmingham's debut in the world indoor championships.
Awesome work @cjbirmingham making 3000m final #Sopot2014. So proud to have an Aussie legend mixing it with the best! @athsaust @SOPOT2014
— Dave Robbo (@mrdaverobbo) March 7, 2014
Birmingham qualified for the championships when he ran in seven minutes, 41.02 seconds in Sotteville-les-Roun in France in July last year.
He arrives in Sopot after a solid 3:54.92 run in the men’s mile at the Perth Track Classic and spent last week preparing for the event at his London-area base.
Birmingham is a two-time Olympian as well as a multi World Track and Field Championships, World Cross Country Championships and Commonwealth Games competitor.
The 29-year-old is also the reigning Australian 10,000m champion.
Equal world lead by @sallyp100h puts her in World Indoors final @ 4:10am Sun AEDST. @cjbirmingham in 3000m final Monday! #RoadtoRio #GoAUS
— AUS Olympic Team (@AUSOlympicTeam) March 8, 2014