ST GEORGE’S, Grenada, CMC – Prodigious teenager Kirani James will spearhead Grenada’s three-member squad to the World Championships in Daegu, South Korea later this month.
The sophomore at the University of Alabama, who turns 19 next month, will be accompanied to the August 27 to September 4 showpiece by Rondell Bartholomew, and Janelle Redhead. James has already installed himself as a medal contender in the 400 metres, on the heels of some outstanding performances this year.
The World junior champion, James stormed to victory at the Aviva London Grand Prix earlier this month at Crystal Palace, to complete a memorable professional debut. He clocked a world-leading 44.61 seconds as he beat several more experienced quarter-milers like Jamaican Jermaine Gonzales and Bahamian Chris Brown.
Currently, James is third on the all-time indoor list behind Americans Michael Johnson and Kerron Clement after cruising to a time of 44.80 in February.
Bartholomew, meanwhile, has also been impressive this season and had posted the previous world-leading time of 44.65 in Texas back in April.
The 21-year-old is also expected to challenge for a medal, alongside James, in the 400 metres.
Sprinter Redhead, a sophomore at South Plains College in Texas, United States, completes the line up.
The 21-year-old has clocked a season-best 22.91 seconds in the 200 metres.