Sprinters Richard Thompson and Keston Bledman advanced to the men’s 100m semifinals on the opening day of the 13th World Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Daegu, South Korea, yesterday.
Thompson was third in the first heat in 10.34 behind former World champion Kim Collins (10.13) and American Trell Kimmons (10.32). The double Olympic silver medallist did not get the best of starts as Collins got out quickly and established an early lead. Thompson recovered and accelerated in latter part of the race and caught Kimmons but the American outleaned him on the line for the runner-up spot.
Bledman was also third in heat two (10.32) and like his compatriot in the previous race got out slowly. The 2005 World Youth bronze medallist ran a strong second half to secure one of the three automatic qualifying spots.
T&T’s other entrant Aaron Armstrong was eliminated after he could only finish fifth in the seventh and final heat. The 2006 Commonwealth Games bronze medallist was slow out of the blocks and was out of contention for a top three spot. Bledman and Thompson clocked the 13th and 18th times of the round while Armstrong was 29th overall. Defending champion and world record holder Usain Bolt (Jamaica) was the quickest (10.10) ahead of compatriot Yohan Blake (10.12). In the semifinals carded for 5.30 am (6:30 pm-Daegu time) Bledman will line up in the first of three heats and will start out of lane 7. He will be seeking a top-two finish to be assured a place in the finals set for 7.45 am. Thompson is in the second race. The T&T national record holder (9.85) is listed to start in lane 7.
National shot put record holder Cleopatra Borel was in action late last night (9.29 pm) in the women’s shot put qualifying round. The two-time Commonwealth Games silver medallist competed in the first group and had three attempts to get over the 18.65m standard needed to advance to carded for tomorrow (7.40 am TT time). Sprint queen Kelly Ann Baptiste headed the local female battle into the last night’s women’s 100m round one. Semoy Hackett and Michelle-Ahye were also in action.The trio was bidding for spots in tomorrow’s semifinals at 6.30 am (TT 7.30 pm). The finals are also on tomorrow at 8.45 am TT time.
Earlier reigning World Championships bronze medallist Renny Quow was among the starters in the men’s 400m lap heat one races. The 2009 third-place finisher in Berlin, Germany, began his quest for another medal from lane one in heat one. Zwede Hewitt was listed to compete in heat two from lane three. The local quartermilers were aiming at a top-four finish to secure a lane in tomorrow’s semis scheduled for 7 am.
Source: www.guardian.co.tt