Harry Aikines-Aryeetey was left devastated in Daegu on Sunday night after failing to reach the final of the 100m at the World Championships.

While all the headlines at the weekend were about Usain Bolt’s controversial 100m disqualification – Aikines-Aryeetey will be left to reflect on what might have been.

With three semi-finals, the British sprinter needed to finish in the top two to guarantee his qualification for the final and despite beating big-name American Justin Gatlin – Aikines-Aryeetey could only finish third in 10.23 seconds, with Kim Collins and Nesta Carter taking first and second.

After Bolt’s disqualification, Yohan Blake took gold in the final in a season’s best of 9.92 seconds, with American Walter Dix in second and Collins in third. And what will have frustrated Aikines-Aryeetey even more though after watching the final later that evening – was the 10.09 that handed Collins the bronze medal was equalled by the Brit earlier this year in Bedford.

“I'm massively disappointed because a great window of opportunity was there and I was in a good semi-final to make that final and, even seeing the times to make the final, I was definitely capable of running that,” said Aikines Aryeetey – who prepared for the World Championships at a training camp funded by Aviva – supporters of British athletes since 1999.

“I'm just disappointed because everything we've put in over the last few weeks to secure that start.

“I could tell my speed was there because not many people no matter what shape he's in will run past Justin Gatlin and that's what I did. “I have just got to move forward. It bodes well for the relay but I wanted to make this final as a stepping stone to prove that I can make the final next year.”

It was a miserable evening for British sprinting, with Marlon Devonish failing to progress through his semi-final and Dwain Chambers suffering the same fate as Bolt and being disqualified.

And Aikines-Aryeetey admitted even after seeing his more experienced fellow Brit suffer elimination for a false-start – his semi-final exit was not down to being more cautious than normal.

“In my head Dwain's false start wasn't there, my problem was I was thinking about the end of the race, I wasn't thinking about the start,” he added.

“In the heats it was all about the start because it was the start of my day and the start of my championships so I wanted to get a good start and hang on.

“This time, I knew my start was there so maybe I relaxed a bit too much. “I've got myself to blame and I've just got to move forward. It looks well for the relay because my top speed is there but I'm still disappointed that I didn't make that final when I had that opportunity.”

Harry Aikines Aryeetey has been selected for the Aviva GB&NI Team at the World Championships in Daegu, Korea. Aviva's support, both at home and abroad, is helping the team prepare to compete at their best. To find out more, go to aviva.co.uk/athletics or follow us on Twitter @AvivaAthletics