RACING FOR GOLD
Thompson, Bledman in 100m semis
By Kwame Laurence in Daegu
Story Created: Aug 27, 2011 at 11:49 PM ECT
Story Updated: Aug 27, 2011 at 11:49 PM ECT
Trinidad and Tobago track star Richard "Torpedo" Thompson squares off against Jamaican sensation Usain Bolt at 5.38 this morning (T&T time), in the second of three men's 100 metres semi-final heats, at the IAAF World Championships, here in Daegu, Korea.
"I am sure," Thompson told the Express, "that whatever semi-final I end up in I will have to run hard, but I am prepared to if I have to."
Heat two will also feature Bolt's teammate, Michael Frater, France's Christophe Lemaitre, American Trell Kimmons and Norway's Jaysuma Saidy Ndure. And with just two sprinters advancing automatically to the 7.45 a.m. championship race, T&T's double Olympic silver medallist will certainly require a big effort to guarantee himself a lane.
"I am in great shape, so having to repeat two hours later in the final won't be an issue."
At 5.30, Bledman will make his first World Championship 100m semi-final appearance. The 23-year-old T&T sprinter runs in heat one, against France's Jimmy Vicaut, Jamaican Yohan Blake, American Walter Dix, Great Britain's Dwain Chambers and Antiguan Daniel Bailey.
The third semi-final features another Jamaican, Nesta Carter, as well as St Kitts and Nevis' 2003 world champion Kim Collins, and American Justin Gatlin, the 2004 Olympic gold medallist.
Running in the second of seven qualifying heats, Bledman battled from behind to finish third in 10.32 seconds, earning an automatic berth in the semis. Dix (10.25) and Briton Harry Aikines-Aryeetey (10.28) finished first and second, respectively.
" I had a slight stumble at the start," Bledman explained, "but I was patient and was able to recover."
The 2011 Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Senior Championship gold medallist told the Express he has a singular focus, here in Daegu.
"I don't care if Bolt's in the race. I came here to win! That's my goal."
In heat one, Thompson had a slow start. But he, too, recovered, copping third spot in 10.34 seconds. Collins clocked 10.13 to top the field, while Kimmons was second in 10.32.
"Kim Collins got a great start. At about 60 metres I realised he was far in front, so instead of using a lot energy to try to catch him, I just focused on my form, relaxed a little bit and qualified for the next round.
"I didn't have a great start," Thompson continued. "I hope to improve on that tomorrow (today)."
Of the sprinters competing in the Daegu century, Thompson has the fastest 2011 clocking—9.85 seconds.
"I wouldn't say I'm the one to beat. Yohan Blake has been having a great season, Nesta Carter, all of those guys. So I don't consider myself the favourite at all. Bolt, obviously, we know what he's capable of, so I'm just going in there, having fun, and I want to make the final. As long as I'm on the line, then anything is possible."
Bolt was the fastest man on show in round one. The reigning champion and world record holder strolled to victory in heat one in 10.10 seconds. Blake won heat four in 10.82. And Carter clocked 10.26 to top heat five.
Bolt was very satisfied with his first round effort.
" I've been working on my start all season. I've been lacking that, but I got it perfectly in this race. That's why it looked so easy."
T&T's third entrant in the men's 100m dash, Aaron Armstrong, bowed out in the first round. The US-born sprinter was sluggish out of the lane eight blocks, leaving himself with too much work to do to secure a top-three finish in heat seven and an automatic berth in the semis. Armstrong was fifth in 10.48 seconds, finishing well behind Frater, the winner in 10.26.
"I couldn't really hear the gun," Armstrong complained. "I didn't react. It's just a horrible race for me."
After press time, last night (T&T time), Kelly-Ann Baptiste, Semoy Hackett and Michelle-Lee Ahye ran in round one of the women's 100m, Renny Quow faced the starter in the first of five men's 400m first round heats, and Cleopatra Borel was in action in the qualifying round of the women's shot put.
Tonight (T&T time), Jehue Gordon competes in the opening round of the men's 400m hurdles.
