BEIJING, China – In his second trip at this level, Bahamas’ Jeffery Gibson dipped at the right time to snatch a bronze medal – his country’s first in these championships – in the one lap barrier event here in Beijing.
Having only made the semis hitherto, the former Oral Roberts University student/athlete was coming off three national records, including a 48.37 in the previous round, looked the part, in notching yet another, with 48.17 for the 3rd spot. Surprise, Kenyan Nicholas Bett is the 2015 World Champion, winning with a 47.79 world leader.
Gibson was very happy with his result. "The medal is a great achivement but I take it as the next stepping stone towards the future."
"I know I can perform much better, but there are few things I need to work on," he said
Carib girls in the 400m semifinals shone brightly at this midway stage, all five advancing. The four Jamaicans are all in there, with Shericka Jackson (2nd in Ht. 3/50.03PB), the ever improving 21 year old out of the University of Technology’s coach Stephen Francis-prepared program and his MVP TC duo, Commonwealth Games Champion, Stephenie Ann McPherson (2nd in Ht. 2/50.32SB) and surprise national champion, Christine Day, the Commonwealth bronze medallist (2nd in Ht. 1/50.82). Florida-based Novlene Williams-Mills took 3rd in heat 3 with a season best, 50.47. Also looking good to take a podium spot is Bahamas’ former World Youth and World Junior Champion, the Agent, Claude Bryan –handled, Shaunae Miller, 1st in heat 1 with 50.12.
The 200m heats for men were chock full of Caribbean athletes and for by far the most part, they were successful in advancing to the next stage. Topping the pack was Anguillan now representing Great Britain, Zharnel Hughes who is coached by the Jamaican supremo, Glen Mills, taking heat 5 in 20.13, Jamaica’s Julian Forte trailed him in 20.16.
Warren Weir, the reigning Olympic bronze medallist, but short of action this season, took 2nd in heat 6 with a season best 20.24.
100m back to back to back champion, Usain Bolt also cruised to advance in taking heat 3 in 20.28, Miguel Francis (ANT) was 3rd in heat 7 for a qualifier with 20.38, Nickel Ashmeade (JAM), 3RD in heat 4 in 20.40, all are through.
Those who failed the test were, Kittian, Antoine Adams, 6th in heat 4, 20.75, Teray Smith (BAH), 6th in heat 3 with 20.91 Mauriel Carty (AIA), 8TH in heat 3 with 22.63SB and Harold Houston (BER), 8th in heat 5 in 20.92.
