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Novlene poised to medal
By Elton Tucker, Assistant Editor - Sport
Novlene Williams of Jamaica competes in the women's 400 metres heats during the 11th IAAF World Athletics Championship in Osaka, Japan, yesterday. - Reuters
Osaka, Japan
National 400 metres champion Novlene Williams emerged as one of the favourites for gold when she led all qualifiers for today's semi-finals at the World Athletics Championships with an impressive 50.21 seconds. Williams brushed off a challenge from former world champion Ana Guevara (50.85) to win heat four.
Shereefa Lloyd and Shericka Williams also advanced. Lloyd, 51.42, was third in heat one, won in 50.88 by Russia's Natalya Antyukh. Shericka Williams had a fast start and ran a strong race but ended up second in 51.71 to another Russian, Tatyana Veshkurova (51.67) in heat three.
Danny McFarlane (48.32) had an agonising wait before he was confirmed for tomorrow's men's 400m hurdles final. McFarlane was pipped by American James Carter for the second automatic qualifying spot in semi-final one. Poland's Marek Plawgo was a surprise winner in a season-best 48.18 ahead of Carter (48.30).
Isa Phillips did not advance. He finished fifth in semi-final three in 49.47 behind American winner, Kerron Clement, 48.60. Former world champion Felix Sanchez of the Dominican Republic took the other semi-final in a season-best 48.35.
Kenia Sinclair also dropped out at the semi-final stage in the women's 800m. Sinclair paid dearly for setting a fast early pace and faded to fifth in the second of three semi-finals 2:00.25. Russia's Svetlana Klyuka won in 1:58.97. Commonwealth champion Janeth Jepkosgei of Kenya was fastest, winning semi-final three in a terrific world leading 1:56.17.
By Elton Tucker, Assistant Editor - Sport
Novlene Williams of Jamaica competes in the women's 400 metres heats during the 11th IAAF World Athletics Championship in Osaka, Japan, yesterday. - Reuters
Osaka, Japan
National 400 metres champion Novlene Williams emerged as one of the favourites for gold when she led all qualifiers for today's semi-finals at the World Athletics Championships with an impressive 50.21 seconds. Williams brushed off a challenge from former world champion Ana Guevara (50.85) to win heat four.
Shereefa Lloyd and Shericka Williams also advanced. Lloyd, 51.42, was third in heat one, won in 50.88 by Russia's Natalya Antyukh. Shericka Williams had a fast start and ran a strong race but ended up second in 51.71 to another Russian, Tatyana Veshkurova (51.67) in heat three.
Danny McFarlane (48.32) had an agonising wait before he was confirmed for tomorrow's men's 400m hurdles final. McFarlane was pipped by American James Carter for the second automatic qualifying spot in semi-final one. Poland's Marek Plawgo was a surprise winner in a season-best 48.18 ahead of Carter (48.30).
Isa Phillips did not advance. He finished fifth in semi-final three in 49.47 behind American winner, Kerron Clement, 48.60. Former world champion Felix Sanchez of the Dominican Republic took the other semi-final in a season-best 48.35.
Kenia Sinclair also dropped out at the semi-final stage in the women's 800m. Sinclair paid dearly for setting a fast early pace and faded to fifth in the second of three semi-finals 2:00.25. Russia's Svetlana Klyuka won in 1:58.97. Commonwealth champion Janeth Jepkosgei of Kenya was fastest, winning semi-final three in a terrific world leading 1:56.17.