media_artricles :: 2014

Prime leads T&T into semis at World Masters Indoors

Martin Prime was among five national athletes who qualified for the semifinals rounds of the 60-metre sprint on the opening day of the 2014 World Masters Association Indoor Track and Field Championships in Budapest, Hungary on Tuesday.

Prime was the top qualifier in the preliminaries of the men’s 50 to 54 60-metre, winning heat four in 7.50 seconds, the quickest of the day. The next fastest was Spain’s Antonio Mayoral (7.56). Prime’s compatriot Irvin Thomas was fourth best clocking 7.63 to win heat six.

The T&T duo were due to contest the semi-finals yesterday. Albert St Louis, Terrance Skinner and Ahmad As-Siddiq also qualified for the 60m semifinals in their age groups. St Louis was fourth fastest in the heats of the men’s 40-44 category clocking 7.25 in taking the runner up spot in heat two.

The TT Defence Force athlete will be looking to improve on his fourth place finish in the finals the 2012 World Indoors when he competed in the 35 to 39 age group. Skinner advanced to the men’s 60-64 60 semis after finishing 15th in 8.61 (fourth in heat four) while As-Siddiq was fifth in the 65-69 class in 8.59. The T&T Masters Association president was second in heat three.

World Outdoor champion Rodney Liverpool will be aiming to add indoor gold—35 to 39 high jumps finals—to his outdoor title achieved in Porto Alegre, Brazil. He will also be eager to avenge for his fourth place finish in 2012.

Reigning double indoor winner Gwendolyn Smith will have to wait until Saturday to compete. Smith will be seeking to defend her women’s 45-49 shot put title. On Sunday, Smith will be looking to hold on to the women’s 45-49 javelin gold.

Four time World Indoor champion Geraldine George will not be in action in Hungary opting to bypass this year’s meet. George is T&T’s most masters athlete as she also won three world outdoor titles.

The ten-man T&T contingent will be aiming to improve the five medals won in 2012 when Smith and George both stuck double gold. Rick Francis also captured bronze in the men’s 40 to 44 javelin.

Top