BEIJING, China – Kirani James will once again lead the Caribbean’s hopes for victory in the men’s 400 metres here at the World Championships. Other Caribbean athletes to join James in the final are Luguelin Santos of Dominica and Machel Cedenio of Trinidad and Tobago.

James shut down well in advance of the finish line to win the first semifinal in 44.16 seconds as Santos was second in 44.26 and David Verburg of the United States of America third in 44.71.

Trinidad and Tobago’s Renny Quow was fifth in 44.98, Bahamas’ Chris Brown seventh in 45.07 and Jamaica’s Peter Matthews eighth in 45.42.

In the second semifinals heat, Trinidad and Tobago’s Lalonde Gordon was the best finisher for the Caribbean. He was sixth in 44.70 seconds as Rusheen McDonald paid for running a national record in the heat, as he finished sixth in 44.86. Steve Gardiner of Bahamas was seventh in 44.98.

Cedenio qualified for the final by finishing third in the third semifinals heat. His 44.64 seconds was bettered by Wayde Van Niekerk of South Africa who did 44.31 and LaShawn Merritt of United States of America who did 44.34.

Jamaica’s Javon Francis was fourth in 44.77 seconds with Michael Mathieu of Bahamas seventh in 45.43.

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