David King admits he will have to improve on a ‘laboured’ performance if he is to have any chance of clinching a surprise European crown.

The Plymouth athlete qualified second in his 110m hurdles heat to book his place in the semi-finals with a respectable time of 13.63s in Munich.

King, 28, came home second behind Swiss star Finley Gaio and will race again for a place in the final on Wednesday evening at the multi-sport event.

He finished well within the qualifying window but knows he will have to up his game if he is to seal a final showdown under the Olympic Stadium lights later this week.

King, who was eliminated in the semi-finals at the World Championships in Oregon last month, said: “It was very comfortable.

“My legs tightened after the gun and it felt laboured but once I got over one, I got into my running and it was smooth, it was good.

“I’d love to make the final. It will take a run better than that one but I know I’ve got that in my legs.”

King was one of two British stars to progress to Wednesday’s semi-finals as Loughborough-based athlete Miguel Perera similarly advanced.

Perera, 25, finished third in the heat after King’s as a time of 13.72s kept his hopes alive.

 

Home favourite Gregor Traber and Italian ace Hassane Fofana finished first and second to lay down the gauntlet as the competition hots up.

Perera said: “It was a lot better than I thought it might be going in.

“It’s good to be in the fight for sure.

“I definitely wanted to reach the semi, and now it’s just about fighting and seeing what I can do.

“I hope I can run a PB in the semis and then at least I’ve left it all out there.”

The multi-sport European Championships Munich 2022, featuring Athletics, Beach Volleyball, Canoe Sprint, Cycling, Gymnastics, Table Tennis, Triathlon, Rowing, Sport Climbing, takes place 11th-21st August on the 50th anniversary of the Olympics Games in the German city. Watch daily live coverage across BBC One, Two, Red Button, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website.