media_artricles :: 2015

TOUGH OPENER

Champ Jehue in challenging heat

Jehue Gordon has a tough first round assignment in his bid to repeat as world champion in the Men's 400 metres hurdles.

At 6.43 this morning (TT time), the Trinidad and Tobago track star will do battle in the second of five heats at the 2015 IAAF World Championships here in Beijing, China. He will run in lane two, alongside Uruguay's Andres Silva, in one, and Kenyan Boniface Tumuti, in three.

Gordon's best clocking this season is 49.22 seconds, which puts him in 28th spot on this year's global performance list. Four men in heat two have run faster in 2015—American Michael Tinsley (48.34), Puerto Rico's Javier Culson (48.48), South African LJ van Zyl (48.78) and Tumuti (48.92). Jamaican Leford Green, who is alongside Gordon on the performance list at 49.22, has also been drawn in the second heat.

With just four men in each heat advancing automatically to the semi-final round, Gordon has his work cut out for him.

Diagnosed with a sports hernia, Gordon has had a less than ideal build-up to his World Championship defence. But T&T team manager Dexter Voisin is optimistic about the 23-year-old's chances.

“Since Jehue arrived in Beijing, his personal coach (Dr Ian Hypolite) says he looks very comfortable. There's no more concern about injury. He should be ready for the defence of his title.”

Olympic men's javelin champion Keshorn Walcott also had an injury concern (left ankle) ahead of the Beijing Worlds. However, Voisin told the Express that Walcott's coach, Ismael Lopez Mastrapa is satisfied with the athlete's progress.

“Keshorn is going through his paces, and practising with a lot of comfort. His coach is pleased since his arrival in Beijing.”

Walcott will compete in the men's javelin qualifying competition on Monday. With a season's best of 90.16 metres, he would be confident of advancing to Wednesday's final.

Another T&T thrower, Cleopatra Borel competed in the women's shot put qualifying event after press time last night (TT time). The final is scheduled for 8.05 this morning.

Keston Bledman will also be on show on day one. He is the lone T&T sprinter in the men's 100m heats, scheduled to start at 7.20am.

Bledman arrived in Beijing on Monday, four days after most of his teammates.

“Those that reached after August 13,” said Voisin, “based on the timing of receiving their visas, were Machel Cedenio and Khalifa St Fort on the 15th, Bledman on the 17th and Sparkle McKnight on the 19th.

“Everyone in the T&T camp,” the manager continued, “has settled in. Under the guidance of the medical team, all who were here from earlier have adapted to the time zone and are going through their normal preparations.”

McKnight and Cedenio will be in action tonight (TT time). McKnight competes in the opening round of the women's 400m hurdles, while Cedenio is one of three T&T quartermilers expected to face the starter in the men's 400m heats.

“Cedenio, Renny Quow and Lalonde Gordon will compete in the 400,” Voisin announced.

The first heat in the women's 100m dash is scheduled for midnight tonight.

“Kelly-Ann Baptiste, Michelle-Lee Ahye and Semoy Hackett are the three for the women's 100. The top three in the men's 400 and women's 100 were chosen based on present performances.

“Based on preparation so far,” Voisin continued, “the women's 4x1 looks solid. It's a deep squad, and any four of the six can run at any time. The men's 4x4 is solid as well with no injury concerns.”

Top