media_artricles :: 2017

T&T's brightest medal prospect after five days of action at the 2017 IAAF World Championship, Jereem Richards mesmerised all after he won the second Men's 200 metres semi-final race with some audacious running, to comprehensively dominate his challengers and post an impressive time of 20.14, the second fastest of the three races on a very cold the evening at the Olympic Stadium in London, England yesterday.

The 23-year-old was elated after his qualification to today's final and displayed that to Guardian Media Sport. He said: "I am just glad that I could come out here and execute my race as my coach instructed me off the bend and in the straight, I stayed focused and thankful to God, that I made it to the final. So now I am not only a World Championships finalist, but I have the opportunity to get a medal."

He added: "I am not putting any pressure on myself, I am still young and have to just stay focus on my race. I was able to shut it down early here, and now just go out there and do my best and make everyone happy.

"It would be a nice gift for my country, if I could get the gold medal for our Independence Andre, but I also just want to say thanks to that all my family for their support that has been wonderful, and especially the people of Point Fortin, a real sporting city."

Richards, who ran from Lane 5 with Jamaica's Yohan Blake, a pre-race favourite to his right, pulled away from the field with 75 metres to go and in the final 25 metres he coasted to the finish-line with Blake struggling. Blake, who ran on the world stage in the shadown of his compatriot Usain Bolt, who withdrew from the event and surrendered his 200 metres title, failed to qualify for the finals.

"I'm just going out there to win and once I execute the race. I think I can be victorious, I am not worried about time, Tomorrow this is for the people of T&T. I am keeping focus," he explained.

Meanwhile, Richards compatriot Kyle Greaux, who ran in the first semis returned a time of 20.65 and finished eighth. The race was won by USA's Isaiah Young in 20.12, the fastest time of the three semi-final races, while Wade Van Niekerk could only finish third (20.28) in his semi-final and Isaac Makwala second in 20.14, as both advanced to final which will be run today.

T&T's top field athlete Keshorn Walcott will open his javelin medal quest today.

Men's 200m Finals & Lane assignment

2. Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake (GBR)

3. Wayde Van Niekerk (RSA)

4. Isiah Young (USA)

5. Ramil Guliyev (TUR)

6. Isaac Makwala (BOT)

7. Jareem Richards (T&T)

8. Abdul Hakim Sani Brown (JPN)

9. Ameer Webb (USA)

Men's 200m semi-final 2 Result

1. Jareem Richards (T&T) 20.14

2. Abdul Hakim Sani Brown (JPN) 20.43

3. Yohan Blake (Jam) 20.52

4. Sydney Sime (Zam) 20.54

5. Kyree King (USA) 20.59

6. Jan Volko (SVK) 20.61

7. Zharnel Hughes (GBR) 20.85

8. Alex Wilson (SUI) 21.22