Nineteen year old Machel Cedenio showed the World, that he is a star for the future, with a gutsy performance in difficult circumstances in the men's 400 metres finals on Day 5 of the World Championships in Beijing, China.
Not many at the start of the year would have given Cedenio a chance to reach the semifinal of the World event, least of all reach the final.
Cedenio had earlier said, he was looking forward to enjoying the moment of being in his first World senior finals, as the youngest athlete and he was correct. "I am the youngest so I am going out there to enjoy myself and enjoy the occasion."
In one of the fastest finals in some time, Cedenio finished seventh in a time of 45.06 seconds, behind the first three men, who all finished under 44 seconds, led by the winner Wayde Van Niekerk of South Africa (43.48), American La Shawn Merritt (43.65) and Grenada's Kirani James (43.78).
Cedenio qualified as the second fastest loser and was assigned the dreaded lane 2, and was always at a disadvantage, and given his personal best was 44.36 , it was always realistically going to be difficult for the youngster to match up to these experienced athletes, when their times were under 44.
President of the National Adminstration for Athletic Association (NAAA), Ephraim Serrette, speaking after the event said, "We are proud of him, he came and gave his best. It was always going to be difficult because of his placing. It was a difficult draw for him on the inside but he fought and will be better for the experience.
"At the age of 19 to make a world final, we need to appreciate that. He is the seventh best in the world today. There are over 200 countries participating here, most of the athletes in this event and others say , it sometimes take 2 or 3 World Championships for them to get better so all we need is for Cedenio and his team to harness properly the knowledge learnt from this event. We, the NAAA, are totally behind and in support of him."
Next up for Cedenio, will be the 4x400 metres relay although he may be rested for the first round heat on Sunday.
Mikel Thomas crashed out of the Men's 110m hurdles event, falling after tripping over the first hurdle.
"I got to the first hurdle, I can't say what happened, all I remember is hitting the floor, when I looked up I was on the floor, so I had to finish, I owe it myself and God," a positive Thomas said.
Thomas picked himself up and to the amazement of the crowd got up and cleared every hurdle easily and then crossed the line making the sign of cross.
"I did not come here for a vacation but instead to do my very best in hopes of making the finale and making the podium, I had to finish, I had to finish!" said Thomas.
T&T started Day 5, with three athletes, Kamaria Durant, Semoy Hackett and Reyare Thomas - in the heats of the women's 200m but at the end, only two advanced to this morning's semifinals (7.35am TT time).
Hackett finished second in her heat in a time of 22.89 and qualified overall in position 11, while Thomas was third in her heat in a time of 23.09 and overall in 21st position to both progress to the semifinal. Durant was sixth in her heat in a time of 23.25 and overall 30th to finish outside the 24 in the three semifinals of eight.
Hackett said, "I try to run as comfortable as ever just to make it next round. My agent said just try to execute but ensure I progress, I feel tired but ok though just need to recover for tomorrow.
"My race plan was good, the 100 helped with my turnover. I feel I do not have to force it like how I did in previous 200, and it worked out quite fine , so i just need to go and recover so i can repeat this tomorrow."
Hackett , who is making a return to the track after an absent of over 18 months , said it was pleasing to have her teammates with her before the race. "While warming up iIfelt good, seeing three of us were there, we were layed back , relax , getting ready to compete together but it was more comforting knowing that your teammates were there with you ,"noted Hackett
Hackett wants to reach the podium on Friday in the final and has a plan saying," I plan to make it to the final and hopefully do a pr (personal record), 22.3 or better will medal so that is my aim. I prefer an outer lane so I will not have to work hard to catch people. I will just execute better and be more relaxed coming home."
Thomas will race in semifinal heat one, from Lane 2 at 7.35 am with Elaine Thompson of Jamaica also in that race while Hackett will race in semi nal heat two, from Lane 4, with Sherone Simpson of Jamaica among her challengers.
