Andrenette Knight advanced to the final of the women’s 400m hurdles on the opening day of the Jamaica Trials at the National Stadium on Thursday.
The 26-year-old, who experienced a fall while leading in last year’s final, looked in good form as she threw down the gauntlet to her challengers with an easy looking 54.41 in the second and final semi-final heat.
Janieve Russell, the reigning Commonwealth Games champion, engaged in a spirited competition with Knight during the straight but settled for second place with a time of 55.13, which ranked as the second fastest among all the heats. Lashanna Graham from Clemson University secured the third and final automatic qualifying spot from the heat, finishing third with a time of 56.79.
Rushell Clayton (left) and Shiann Salmon (right) compete in semi-final one of the women’s 400m hurdles.
Shiann Salmon also secured her spot in the race for the national title with a dominant performance. The Commonwealth Games silver medalist cruised to victory in the opening heat, clocking in at 55.35.
The 2019 world bronze medallist Rushell Clayton, who currently holds the fastest time among Jamaican women in the event this season, finished second with a time of 56.73, while Gontse Morake from Baylor University took third place in 57.98.
Ronda Whyte, ranked as the fifth fastest Jamaican woman in the event this season, encountered a disappointing turn of events as she chose to halt and exit the track on the back straight, failing to complete the heat.
The final is scheduled for Friday at 7:41 pm.
The Jamaica Trials will not only determine the athletes who will represent the country at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary, from August 19 to 27, but will also determine the teams for three junior competitions. These competitions include the NACAC Under-18 and Under-23 Championships in San Jose, Costa Rica (July 21-23), the Pan American Under-20 Athletics Championships in Puerto Rico (August 4-6), and the Under-18 Commonwealth Youth Games in Port of Spain, Trinidad (August 6-9).
