“Once he breaks the 47s barrier and gets past the first round anything is possible for him but we just want him to break the 47s barrier,” were the words of local junior 400 metres star Stephan James’ co-coach Julian Edmonds prior to James’ departure last Saturday for the World Junior Championships in Spain which ends July 15.
James not only broke the 47s barrier but also shattered Guyana’s junior 400 metres record in the process when he won his heat in a time of 46.99s yesterday. The record, which stood at 47.71s was held by Tai Payne.
However, while the success of the local star will be well documented, a tougher task awaits him in the 400 metres semifinal today as he won his heat in the slowest time of the eight heats.
James will participate in semifinal two today which will feature American Arman Hall and Trinidadian Machel Cedinio who both won their heats in times of 46.13s and 46.58s respectively.
Meanwhile overseas-based sprinter Kadecia Baird has qualified for the women’s 100 metres semifinal after placing second in heat seven with a time of 11.72s yesterday. Her semifinal round for a chance to enter the finals, will be today.
