media_artricles :: 2013

Walcott back on terrific Thursday

T&T camp here in Moscow has labelled today, Day 6 of the World Championships, as “Terrific Thursday” with a lot of optimism.

First into action will be 2012 London Olympic javelin gold medallist, Keshorn Walcott, in the first round of his event.

Walcott is scheduled to throw in position 11 of 16 competitors in Group A, at 1.30 am (TT time). Group B has 17 competitors.

The qualifying mark for the finals set for Saturday is 82.50 metres or at least the 12 best performances in the first round.

Manager of the T&T contingent, Dexter Voisin, told the T&T Guardian that Walcott was quietly getting there and will be ready for today.

“It has been a tough season for him but his confidence has been boosted by his performance during our camp in Finland, when he threw over 80 metres and you can tell the difference already.”

Voison noted that Walcott had an ankle injury which may have deterred his progress.

“His coach, Ismael Lopez Mastrapa, believes that the problem was his ankle. He was only throwing from his upper body as he was cautious with the ankle. Now that this has cleared up, he is throwing better and more consistently with the right momentum and stride so he will go out and give off his best on Thursday (today), aiming to make the finals on Saturday,” added Voisin.

Next on the track will be the mens 4x400 metres relay team in the second of three heats scheduled for 11.15am (TT time), with the top two in each heat qualifying as well as the two fastest losers to the finals tomorrow.

T&T is drawn in lane seven with USA in lane four and Belgium in lane five. Olympic champion Bahamas is in heat three while Jamaica and Great Britain are in heat one.

President of the NAAA, Ephraim Serrette, said last night that the T&T camp was feeding off the success of Jehue Gordon and were all focused on the relays.

“La Londe Gordon is only talking about the relays. He wants that first and then he will think about the 200 metres. This 400 relay team is a very closely knitted team and believe in themselves and in their ability to succeed, so they are ready to go out on the track and give of their best and make us all proud again,” added Serrette.

The expected order in the relays will be Renny Quow, Jarrin Solomon, Gordon and Deon Lendore. The only change from the team which won bronze at the London Olympics is Quow, replacing Ade Alleyne-Forte.

Gordon will run from lane six in the 400 metres hurdles final today.

Serrette noted: “This is a young man who does all the correct things. He takes advice, listens to his coach and others and aims to ensure that everyone is working together. He is an inspiration to the team and his performance in Lausanne, where he won the Grand Prix in a time of 48 .00) has given him confidence. (AB)

Top