ago.20.2009
Jehue Gordon produced an awe-inspiring performance at the Olympic Stadium, here in Berlin, Germany, yesterday. And while the 17-year-old Trinidad and Tobago athlete did not secure precious metal in the World Championship men's 400 metres hurdles final, the tremendous effort was undoubtedly as good as gold.
Gordon completed his circuit of the track in a blistering 48.26 seconds, the second fastest time ever recorded by a junior (under-20) athlete. The hair-raising run very nearly earned him bronze, American Bershawn Jackson just getting the better of the talented teenager with a 48.23 clocking.
T&T-born American Kerron Clement got to the line in 47.91 seconds to retain his world title, beating Puerto Rico's Javier Culson (48.09) into second spot.
Gordon gave a fine display of his championship pedigree, matching strides with his older and more celebrated rivals. At the top of the home straight, a medal looked in the offing for the fastest 17-year-old one-lap hurdler in history. And Gordon remained in contention for a top-three finish even beyond the final hurdle, but Jackson, the 2005 world champion, had more finishing power, stealing the bronze at the line.
"I'm surprised," Gordon told the Express. "I was just shocked I was up in the top two coming home. Kind of disappointed (not to get a medal), but I had nothing to lose, just a lot to gain."
And gain he did-respect, admiration, praise.
"I've been training hard, believed in my coach (Dr Ian Hypolite) and everyone else who was supporting me out there, so I just executed the race I was supposed to and put my best foot forward."
Among the athletes Gordon beat to the line were evergreen Jamaican Danny McFarlane, who finished sixth in 48.65 seconds, and 2004 Olympic champion Felix Sanchez, of the Dominican Republic. Sanchez was eighth and last in 50.11.
Gordon, the youngest-ever World Championship finalist in an individual sprint event, bettered his own national record by four-tenths of a second, yesterday's 48.26 seconds run erasing the 48.66 mark he had established in Saturday's opening round.
Thirty-seven-year-old McFarlane is the oldest-ever individual sprint event finalist, combining with Gordon to make the one-lap hurdles championship race a truly historic occasion.
Josanne Lucas also created history yesterday, becoming the first female track athlete from T&T to qualify for a World Championship final. The Tobago lass produced a national record run in the first women's 400m hurdles semi-final heat, clocking 53.98 seconds to secure second spot and a lane in the championship race.
"I am happy I made it to the final in a personal best, but it still wasn't quite my perfect race."
Though she stuttered at the final hurdle, Lucas bettered her previous personal best of 54.17 seconds. Olympic champion Melaine Walker won the race in 53.26.
Something special could be in store for Renny Quow today.
At 12.22 p.m. (T&T time), the T&T quarter-miler faces the starter in the second of three men's 400m semi-final heats. With just the top two advancing automatically to Friday's final, Quow is certain to put in a big effort. And on the evidence of his first lap of the Olympic Stadium track, here in Berlin, a very fast time is the likely result. In his opening round heat, yesterday, Quow coasted to victory in 45.21 seconds.
"I just want to make it to the final," he told the Express after the race. Olympic champion LaShawn Merritt, of the United States, will also run in the second semi-final.
T&T sprinter Rondell Sorrillo squares off against men's 100m champion Usain Bolt for the third time in two days in the first 200m semi-final heat, at 1.25 this afternoon (T&T time). Eight minutes later, Emmanuel Callender competes in the second semi.
Sorrillo qualified as a "fastest loser" after finishing fifth in the opening quarter-final in 20.58 seconds. Bolt won in 20.41.
"If I had run the turn a little bit harder," Sorrillo said, "I would have been automatic."
Callender also advanced as a "fastest loser". He clocked 20.62 for fifth spot in heat three.
The third T&T sprinter in the event, Aaron Armstrong, was nowhere near his best form. In the opening round, he finished fifth in heat one in 21.38 seconds, and did not progress to the quarters.
"A little rusty...this is my second 200 of the year. I was planning on running the 100 but they (T&T officials) took me out."
Sorrillo had no problems advancing. He clocked 20.74 seconds for second spot in heat five, behind Bolt (20.70). And in the very next first round race, Callender was third in 20.81.
"I felt good," Callender told the Express. "I don't want to try to force myself to run too fast. I'm just doing enough."
Aleesha Barber smashed into the final barrier in her women's 100m hurdles first round heat, but still managed to secure a berth in today's semis. The T&T athlete finished sixth in 13.19 seconds, advancing by the "fastest loser" route.
"I made it through! I got all the jitters out. I'll be ready to go."
Barber will do battle in the first semi-final heat at 12.45 p.m. (T&T time). The final is scheduled for 3..15.
And Kelly-Ann Baptiste will be on the track at 1.51 p.m. for her women's 200m first round heat. The 100m semi-finalist has been drawn in lane five.
|
|
