‘I’ll come back bigger and better’

TENACIOUS QUALIFYING performances from Bovel McPherson, Rusheen McDonald and Delano Kennedy were slightly overshadowed by the comprehensive elimination of defending champion Antonio Watson in the heats of the men’s 400 metres at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.

Watson never looked like he was ‘at the races’, as he trailed in last in heat five in a relatively pedestrian 46.23 seconds.

By that time, attacking from the gun and holding on strongly had seen both McPherson and McDonald through to the semi-finals, and Kennedy followed them through immediately after Watson’s disappointing demise.

McPherson, who never made the leading three in the Jamaican Championships but got a place due to the nation having four spots through boasting the Budapest 2023 winner, smashed his personal best to finish third in heat two with 44.51.

McDonald, showing typical gutsy ambition, also blasted out of the blocks and held on to claim second place in the next race, while Kennedy, the youngest of the island’s quartet at just 21, knocked 17/100th off of his PB to clock 44.74 and take one of the six fastest ‘losers’ spots in the next round.

Injuries, disappointments

Watson was predictably downcast, but put a brave face on a performance which came nowhere near reflecting his prowess in the one-lap race, saying:

“It was physical, not mental.

“I don’t really like to talk about what’s happened in the past, but I’ve had a lot of knocks, a lot of injuries and disappointments in the last two years, but I will be back.”

The outgoing champion has not dismissed the possibility of returning for the 4x400m later in the week, as he still strives to get back to the form which saw him claim gold in Hungary two years ago.

He added:“Definitely, I’ll come back bigger and better!”

The successful trio were predictably much more buoyant with McPherson saying:

“I came here to do my best and I got a big PB, so I can’t be unhappy about that.

“This is my first time representing the senior Jamaican team and it’s a great feeling.

“I’ve been putting in the training and felt prepared, so I can’t wait for what comes next.”

Reigning national champion McDonald, now 33, claimed:

“I feel ready right now to go to the final.

“I love anyone who knocks me, because they motivate me.”

Kennedy, at just 21, stressed how hot it was in Tokyo’s National Stadium, but enthused:

“I was injured for a lot of last year, but I’m young and get the chance to be here today and feel good. So I am looking forward to the next round, to see what I can do again.

The semi-finals are on Tuesday at 7:35 a.m.