Canada’s Adam Kunkel advances to final at 2007 IAAF World Track and Field Championships
Sunday, August 26, 2007
OSAKA, Japan– Adam Kunkel of Paisley, Ont., took another giant leap in his medal quest at the 2007 IAAF World Track and Field Championships on Sunday as he advanced to the men’s 400-metre hurdles final.
Kunkel, coming off a Canadian record and gold medal performance at the Pan Am Games last month, clocked second in his heat at 48.66 seconds. He finished behind Kerron Clement of the U.S., in first at 48.60 and more importantly ahead of Bayano Kamani of Panamain third at 49.13. The top-two in each heat automatically advanced.
‘’I wanted to be in control and finish strong,’’ said Kunkel. ‘’In the semis it’s always competitive because only the top-two make it. I pushed it a little bit longer to make sure I kept pace with Kerron. I got off to a fast start like at the Pan Am Games and I’m going to stick to that strategy. I just need my last 200 metres to be stronger.’’
The final is on Tuesday at 10:20 p.m., local time (9:20 a.m. EDTin Canada).
In the men’s 100-mette semifinal, Anson Henry of Pickering, Ont., was sixth in his semifinal heat and eliminated. He missed a berth in the final by 0.2 seconds. He clocked 10.20 seconds equalling his season best set in Saturday’s quarterfinal. It was a strong performance for Henry who has battled injuries this season and only learned he would race the 100 here last month.
‘’Being in lane two I couldn’t see what was going on’’ said Henry. ‘’I set out to make it to the final and just missed it. It gives me a lot of incentive for next year, I just got to make sure I stay healthy. Now I’m focused for the (4X100) relay and that should go well. Everyone’s excited about it and we’ll turn a lot of heads.’’
Tyson Gay of the U.S., won the final later Sunday in 9.85 seconds.
In the women’s 800 semifinal, Diane Cummins of Victoria took seventh spot in her grouping and was eliminated. Cummins needed medical attention after the race suffering from heat stress as blistering temperatures continued to mark the championships. She underwent ice treatment for an hour and returned to her hotel. Cummins said she considered stopping during the race but still posted a respectable 2:00.51.
Competition continues Monday including the opening rounds in the women’s 100 hurdles with Perdita Felicien of Pickering, Angela Whyte of Edmonton and Priscilla Lopes of Whitby, Ont., and the men’s 1,500 semifinal featuring Kevin Sullivan of Brantford, Ont.
For more information:
In Osaka-
Mathieu Gentès
Team Canada Media Liaison
Athletics Canada
mgentes@athletics.ca
011-81-80-3021-6501
In Canada-
Emily Hooper
Athletics Canada
ehooper@athletics.ca
613-260-5580 ext. 3332
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