media_artricles :: 2013

Walcott, Lalonde, Jehue, Baptiste in Worlds 29

Olympic medallists Keshorn Walcott and Lalonde Gordon have been included in a 29–member Trinidad and Tobago team for the August 10-18 IAAF World Championships, in Moscow, Russia.

Walcott, who shocked the world with gold in the men’s javelin at the 2012 London Olympics, skipped the June 21-23 National Championships because of injury.

Dexter Voisin, manager of T&T’s World Championship team, told the Express that Walcott is currently in Finland, with his coach Ismael Lopez and shot putter Cleopatra Borel.

“Keshorn did not compete at Champs because of discomfort in his ankle. He saw Dr Anyl Gopeesingh just before Champs. Right now, he’s in Finland training with Ismael and Cleo. He went up early to see one of the doctors up there.”

Gordon bagged men’s 400m bronze at the London Games, and was part of the T&T team that finished third in the 4x400m relay. However, he has not achieved a World Championship standard in the 400m, and has been selected to compete in the 200m in Moscow, along with Kyle Greaux. Gordon is also on the 4x400m squad for the World Championships.

Keston Bledman, Richard “Torpedo” Thompson and Rondel Sorrillo have been chosen to represent T&T in the men’s 100m event in Moscow. Deon Lendore and Jarrin Solomon were picked for the 400m. Mikel Thomas and Wayne Davis II will fly the T&T flag in the 110m hurdles. And in the 400m hurdles, Jehue Gordon will face the starter.

Last Friday, Jehue struck gold at the IAAF Diamond League meet, in Monaco, the T&T athlete winning the one-lap hurdles in a very impressive 48 seconds flat.

“A very satisfying performance from Jehue,” said Voisin. “Second best he has run, and second best for the year. That’s a confidence-booster, going into the Championships.”

Among the women, Kelly-Ann Baptiste will lead the charge in Moscow. The Florida-based sprinter has been selected for both the 100m and 200m events.

Baptiste is the 2013 100m world leader at 10.83 seconds - the clocking she produced to retain her national title, last month. The 10.83 run was a new national record. She also established a new T&T standard in the National Championship 200m final, clocking 22.36 seconds to top the field.

Baptiste, Michelle-Lee Ahye, Kai Selvon and Semoy Hackett all attained the World Championship “A” qualifying standard in both the 100m and 200m events. Hackett is not listed for the 100m in Moscow. All four sprinters, however, have been selected for the 200m, but only three will be allowed to compete.

Sprint hurdler Aleesha Barber, shot putter Cleopatra Borel, and Sparkle McKnight, who qualified in both the 400m flat event and 400m hurdles, are also on the team for the Moscow Worlds. McKnight, though, is listed in the one-lap hurdles and 4x400m relay, and not in the 400 flat.

For the first time in the history of the World Championships, T&T will be represented in all four relay events.

Voisin explained that while the T&T team for Moscow has been announced, there could still be additions since athletes have until next Monday, July 29 to achieve qualifying standards.

In a press release, yesterday, the National Association of Athletics Administrations (NAAA) said the T&T team will leave on Thursday for a ten-day pre-Worlds training camp in Finland. The athletes are expected to arrive in Moscow on Tuesday, August 6.

NAAA president Ephraim Serrette and secretary Allan Baboolal will attend the August 6-8 IAAF Congress, in Moscow.

TEAM T&T

Men - Keston Bledman (100, 4x100), Richard Thompson (100, 4x100), Rondel Sorrillo (100, 4x100), Lalonde Gordon (200, 4x400), Kyle Greaux (200), Deon Lendore (400, 4x400), Jarrin Solomon (400, 4x400), Mikel Thomas (110 hurdles), Wayne Davis II (110 hurdles), Jehue Gordon (400 hurdles), Keshorn Walcott (javelin), Jamol James (4x100), Ayodele Taffe (4x100), Emmanuel Callender (4x100), Renny Quow (4x400), Machel Cedenio (4x400)

Women - Kelly-Ann Baptiste (100, 200, 4x100), Michelle-Lee Ahye (100, 200, 4x100), Kai Selvon (100, 200, 4x100, 4x400), Semoy Hackett (200, 4x100), Sparkle McKnight (400 hurdles, 4x400), Aleesha Barber (100 hurdles, 4x100), Cleopatra Borel (shot put), Reyare Thomas (4x100), Kamaria Durant (4x100), Shawna Fermin (4x400), Alena Brooks (4x400), Romona Modeste (4x400), Domonique Williams (4x400)

Officials - Dexter Voisin (manager), Ismael Lopez (throws coach), Ian Hypolite (sprints/hurdles coach), Gunness Persad (sprints/4x100 men coach), Charlie Joseph (sprints/4x400 men coach), Edwin Skinner (sprints/4x100 women coach), Gerard Franklyn (sprints/4x400 women coach), Anyl Gopeesingh (doctor), Ian Sharpe (massage therapist), Fitzbert Alleyne (massage therapist), Verne Alleyne (physiotherapist)

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