Trinidad and Tobago quartermiler Machel Cedenio is 25th on the 2020 world outdoor performance list, thanks to his 45.86 seconds season-opener on August 8. Cedenio, however, is the men's 400 metres national record holder at 44.01, and wants to end his current campaign closer to the top of the 2020 global

list.

"My goals for the rest of the year," the Florida-based athlete told the Express, "are to stay healthy, try to get my time faster--probably in the top five, top ten in the world--and keep working on stuff in practice."

Eighteen-year-old American high schooler Justin Robinson is the 2020 world leader at 44.91 seconds, the clocking he produced to win at the American Track League 6 meet in Georgia, USA, last Saturday. Cedenio was fifth in that race in 46.79, finishing behind Robinson, American Michael Cherry (44.98), Great Britain's Matthew Hudson-Smith (45.58) and American Vernon Norwood (46.63).

Cedenio also competed in men's 60m and 150m races. He finished second in his 150 outing in 16.09 seconds and fourth in the 60 in 7.67.

"In our contract," the 24-year-old explained, "we have a certain amount of races and track meets we have to run per year. What these meets are doing is putting in off-events so athletes can acquire their races and meets, so I did the 60 and 150 to make up my numbers to basically protect or save my adidas contract. We took it as a workout meet."

One week earlier, Cedenio opened his 2020 campaign at the American Track League 5 meet, also in Georgia.

"The 45.86 wasn't the best opener, but I'll take it. The race was run twice. We were already 180 metres into the race when they called us back because the sensor didn't pick up the gun. Then we ran again, and I was a bit tired the second time around."

Covid-19 restrictions have forced Cedenio to miss out on the 2020 Wanda Diamond League circuit.

"I won't be travelling to Europe because I won't be allowed back into the US, and Trinidad and Tobago borders are closed. So, I just have to stay within the US till countries open."

Cedenio's 2020 season will officially end on August 31.

"We normally take September and October off, and start training on the 1st of November, so I'll be resting for two months. That has been our routine ever since I'm a professional athlete.

"Everything we do this year is going to reflect on next year, so we're doing a lot of new stuff. We're working on mechanics and stuff, so I'm just going to keep doing that, keep getting better in the gym, try to stay healthy, re-focus, and take as much rest as possible before we start our 2021 pre-season training."