Miller cruises into 400m final sets up showdown with Felix

Wed, Aug 26th 2015, 12:53 PM

BEIJING, China - "It went well".... that's all Shaunae Miller had to say when pressed for a response after a splendid semi-final heat in the women's 400 meters (m) at the 15th International Association of Athletics Federation's (IAAF) World Championships at the "Bird's Nest" on Tuesday. Miller circled the track in her second fastest time ever 50.12 seconds, and she did it in tremendous ease, winning her semi-final heat and qualifying for the final with the third fastest time. She eased up with about 25 meters left in the race and cruised into the tape.

Jamaican Christine Day was a distant second in that race in 50.82 seconds to grab the second automatic qualifying spot for the final, and Libania Grenot, of Italy, finished third in 51.14 seconds. American Allyson Felix is the top qualifier for the final, winning her semi-final heat in a season's best time of 49.89 seconds, and Jamaican Shericka Jackson was the second fastest qualifier for the final, finishing closely behind Felix in their heat, in a personal best time of 50.03 seconds.

As for Miller, she appears to be rounding into form at exactly the right time. She came into the event as one of the pre-race favorites, along with Felix, but it is shaping up to be a four-woman race for the gold medal. Jackson has rose to the occasion, and after struggling all season, Christine Ohuruogu, of Great Britain, has put herself into medal contention. The defending champion and former Olympic Champion won her semi-final heat, in a season's best time of 50.16 seconds, qualifying for the final with the fourth fastest time.

Just two women in the field have run under 50 seconds this year though - Felix and Miller. Felix transplanted Miller as number two in the world with her fantastic semi-final, and it is expected to be an intense battle between them in the final which is set for 8:40 a.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST) on Thursday. Miller will run out of lane five and Felix will be right in front of her, in lane six.

If they're not careful, Ohuruogu and Jackson could sneak up on them. Ohuruogu will run out of lane seven, and Jackson will be in lane four. Three other Jamaicans will contest the women's 400m final on Thursday. Their national champion Christine Day will run out of lane eight, Stephenie Ann McPherson will run out of lane nine, and Diamond League winner Novlene Williams-Mills will be back in lane two. The showdown is set though. Ever since both announced their intention to contest the women's 400m at the worlds as opposed to the 200, there has been talk of the savvy veteran from Los Angeles, California, going up against the young and talented Bahamian. Felix, who has won three world titles and an Olympic title in the women's 200m, will be going after her first in the women's 400m.

She is already cemented as one of the greatest female sprinters of all-time, and a gold here in Beijing would authenticate that. Miller, only 21, is already great in her own right. She is vying to become just the seventh athlete worldwide to ever win global titles at the world youth, world junior and senior world championships, and the first to do in the women's 400m. Many believe this is her time. Come Thursday, the entire world will be watching.

Click here to read more at The Nassau Guardian

 Sponsored Ads