Selvon exits in semis
Kai Selvon bowed out in the semi-final round of the women’s 200 metres. The Auburn University student finished fourth in heat three in 23.11 seconds. The clocking was not fast enough to earn her a “fastest loser” berth in the final.
Jamaica’s Veronica Campbell-Brown topped the heat in 22.53 seconds, while second spot and the other automatic qualifying berth on offer went to three-time defending champion Allyson Felix of the United States. Felix clocked 22.67, while third-placed Ivet Lalova of Bulgaria got to the line in 23.03.
Selvon takes on Campbell-Brown, Felix
Trinidad and Tobago sprinter Kai Selvon will do battle with two-time Olympic champion Veronica Campbell-Brown of Jamaica and the three-time defending world champion, American Allyson Felix in the third and final women’s 200 metres semi-final heat, at 6.41 this morning (T&T time). Bulgaria’s Ivet Lalova has also been drawn in the third heat.
Selvon will run in lane seven, while Campbell-Brown, Lalova and Felix will run in lanes four, five and six, respectively.
4x4 men sixth in qualifying heat
Trinidad and Tobago bowed out of the men’s 4x400 metres relay. Zwede Hewitt, Jarrin Solomon, Deon Lendore and Renny Quow combined for a three minutes, 02.47 seconds clocking to finish sixth in the first qualifying heat.
United States finished first in 2:58.82, ahead of Jamaica (2:59.13) and South Africa. Double amputee Oscar Pistorius ran the leadoff leg for the South Africans, who clocked a national record time of 2:59.21. Belgium won heat two in 3:00.71.
Record-breaking Selvon in semis
Trinidad and Tobago sprinter Kai Selvon was impressive on her World Championship debut, finishing third in heat four in the opening round of the women’s 200 metres event in 22.89 seconds – a new national junior record. Selvon, 19, qualified automatically for the semi-final round. American Shalonda Solomon won the race in 22.69, while second spot was copped by Ukraine’s Mariya Ryemyen (22.77).
Two-time Olympic champion Veronica Campbell-Brown won heat five in 22.46 seconds to lead all qualifiers into the semis. The first of three semi-final heats is scheduled for 6.25 tomorrow (Thursday) morning, T&T time.
Selvon makes World Championship debut
Wednesday was something of a rest day at the IAAF World Championships. There was no action here at the Daegu Stadium. The only event contested took place in downtown Daegu. Gold went to Russia, Olga Kaniskina winning the women’s 20-kilometre race walk to complete a hat-trick of World Championship triumphs.
It’s Thursday morning in Daegu, and Trinidad and Tobago’s Kai Selvon will make her World Championship debut when she faces the starter in the fourth of five heats in the women’s 200 metres event. Nineteen-year-old Selvon will be on show at 10.14 tonight, T&T time.
And at 11.30, T&T’s men’s 4x400 metres team – Zwede Hewitt, Jarrin Solomon, Deon Lendore and Renny Quow - will run in the qualifying round.
-Kwame Laurence
Source: www.trinidadexpress.com