Emir BEKRIC (SRB), 1st in HEAT 1 51.68
I feel very ready. As you can see, I am physically and mentally ready. I must be strong because every race is the race of my life.
Jack GREEN (GBR) - 2nd in HEAT 1 - 52.16
I was just running to get through. Lane 1 is going to be difficult, because I’m 6’ 4”.
So I just wanted to make sure I was in second, I wasn’t fussed about winning it.
It’s a lot tighter. I have a long stride because of my height, and I have to cut it down a bit.
I want to make sure I’m in the final, and then push for a medal.
Stef VANHAEREN (BEL), 1st in HEAT 2, 51.64
I’m feeling good. I thought I was going to run faster, but the first 200 metres weren’t that good. I can do better than this, I know that. My goal is to reach the finals, and then, I don’t know…under 51 seconds.
Tait NYSTUEN (CAN) 7th in HEAT 2 - 53.21
I’m upset. I didn’t have the race I know I can have. I kind of ran out of gas a little bit on maybe hurdle 5 and messed up my steps and so the rhythm was kind of off after that.
I’m glad to be here representing Canada. That was the first goal. Anything after that was would have been just bonus. This is a good learning experience.
I just started (track) last year. Hopefully I can keep improving at the same rate that I have been and hopefully I’ll be back for something new.
Jean-Pierre Damien EDOUARD (MRI), 7th in HEAT 3, 55.31 (PB)
I’m a bit disappointed. I wanted to do 54 or 53. I was not good today because of my leg. I have a small pain. I just ran and tried to do my best.
I’ve only done competitions in the African region. Outside Africa, I have never raced until now. So it’s a good experience. I’ll become stronger [as I keep competing].
Takatoshi ABE (JPN), 1st in HEAT 4, 50.53 (SB)
I’m in my best condition and I’m happy to have almost reached my own personal record today.
I’m thinking about the next steps. I’m taking it easy because I need to pace myself. My goal is 49 seconds.
Ziad AZIZI (TUN) – 2nd in HEAT 4 - 51.40 (National Record)
It’s a national junior record. We prepared well this year. We did a 21-day camp in France, in Toulouse, with a French coach and that is why I got this result. And I beat my record. I’m a little tired. I can do better.
Steven WHITE (USA) 4th in HEAT 5, 53.27
I’m not too happy about it. I know that I can do better. Apparently something got to me today that threw me off. I think it was nerves. It was my first time here and everything – I don’t know what happened.
I’ve never competed at this level before, and this just caught me by surprise. Hopefully, my time makes it to the semi-finals so I can redeem myself.
Daniel Chan (CAN) - 6th in HEAT 5 – 58.46
At the end of the day, I had a great season and it’s unfortunate what happened here. Can’t do anything about it now. I hit the second one (hurdle) and the whole race, I couldn’t get back. I will keep my head up and continue getting better.
Jehue GORDON (TRI), 1st in HEAT 6 – 51.58
I’m okay. That race was good. We haven’t been here for too long, only two or, three days, so we just wanted to come out and have a good race this morning. I just wanted to go out there and be relaxed and comfortable. Next round, I want to win my semis. I’m going to be a little more aggressive coming home, hopefully.
Leslie MURRAY (ISV) - 2nd in HEAT 6 - 51.94
I didn’t want to use too much energy because we have three rounds, so I just wanted to get out and then maintain a good pace throughout the race, so I can make it back to the semis. In the semis, I can run a little bit faster, get a good lane and then get on the podium.
I can go a lot faster, but it seems like I wasn’t hitting the hurdles the way I wanted to.
I need to switch my starting foot at the blocks, so I can get a little bit more power in my starting leg and then hopefully switch legs during the race.
Joao Vitor de Oliveira (BRA) 1st in HEAT 7, 51.92
I like my racing. I’m so very happy. My parents in Brazil, they’re very, very happy. My brothers, my coach – they’re all so happy. I like Canada, I like Moncton. It’s a very nice city. They’re good people. The people are beautiful, and it’s a very good city and a very good country.
Sheroid EVANS (USA) 3rd in HEAT 7, 53.44
I just want to get to the finals. I have two more rounds after this, so I did what I needed to do, and that’s that.
Honestly, I’m just getting over the hurdles. I just wanted to get over the hurdles nice and smooth, because I had a few problems. I get ready for that, though. Of course, I’ll pick the pace up [in the next round].
