media_artricles :: 2017

Callender, Bledman eliminated in 100m heats

IT WAS a tough start for Trinidad and Tobago at the 2017 London IAAF World Championships, as Emmanuel Callender and Keston Bledman did not advance to the semi-finals of the men's 100-metre event, yesterday.

It was unfortunately a repeat performance for the men's TT sprinters. Last year, at the 2016 Rio Olympics, no TT athlete advanced to the semi-finals of the men's 100m sprint. On that ocassion Bledman, Rondell Sorillo and Richard Thompson did not advance past the heats. 

In heat two yesterday, Emmanuel Callender could not deliver the same performance that saw him win the national title in 10.10 seconds at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in June. Yesterday, Callender stumbled out of the blocks and never recovered. He finished fifth in 10.25 and missed qualification to the semi-finals. Winning the heat was Japanese Abdul Hakim Sani Brown in 10.05, Jamaican Yohan Blake was second in 10.13 and Zhenye Xie of China was third in 10.13. Also booking a semi-final spot was Emre Zafer Barnes of Turkey in 10.22. The top three in each of the six heats advanced to the semi-finals along with the next six fastest times. 

Bledman, running in heat five, was fourth in 10.26. Winning the heat was American Justin Gatlin in 10.05, ahead of Andrew Fisher of Bahrain in 10.19 and Kukyoung Kim of Korea in 10.24. 

Sprint legend Usain Bolt, running in his last meet before he retires, won heat six in 10.07. The semi-finals and final of the men's 100m will take place today. 

Six TT athletes will face the starter today. In the men's 400m heats Lalonde Gordon, Machel Cedenio and Renny Quow will compete. In the women's 100m heats Michelle-Lee Ahye, Khalifa St Fort and Kelly Ann Baptiste will participate. 

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