kerron Clement wins the 400m Hurdles in USATF Champs (© Getty Images)
In an attempt to win his third World Championship title in a row, Felix Sanchez is finding himself not as a firm favourite for gold as he would like to be. Sanchez has been dogged by injuries in his hamstring and his calf. The Olympic gold medallist from Athens tried to recover by taking a long rest last autumn, but the state of his calf got worse again later on.
The Dominican Republic’s first World champion has been unable to run much, but is still coming to the World Championships in Helsinki. Sanchez has had only two races in the 400m Hurdles. He has been way off his best times with 49.48 and a hand timed 48.4. Earlier in the season Sanchez ran the flat 400m in 46.32. According to his manager, the medical advice is that Sanchez should not run. He is having laser treatment every day.
Nevertheless, Sanchez is determined to run not only the 400m Hurdles but also the 4x400m relay in Helsinki.
Even without the injuries, Sanchez would not be cruising to his third World title. One of the hurdlers most capable of stealing the title from him is Kerron Clement, the Trinidad-born athlete representing the United States. Clement clocked his PB and season best time in the world at the US Championships in June with 47.24.
At 19 years of age, Clement is a promising hurdler, who broke the World Indoor 400m record earlier this year with 44.57**. The former record holder was one Michael Johnson. Despite this impressive performance, Clement says he has decided to stick to the 400 m hurdles, because he enjoys the challenge.
After winning the US titles, he has raced only once in 400m Hurdles. That was a mediocre performance and his time was 49.03. With a long indoor season and several outdoor races behind him, Clement’s present form is a mystery.
Other top performers this year have been Americans Bershawn Jackson and James Carter. Jackson’s best time is 47.62 from May. The experienced Carter has ran 47.95 this year. Of the three Americans competing in Helsinki, Jackson has lately been in the best form. He won the London Grand Prix in July with 47.98.
Among the medal contenders at the World Championships one should count Kemel Thompson of Jamaica and Louis van Zyl of South Africa. Thompson’s best time this season is 48.14, van Zyl’s 48.16 with which he won the Athens Grand Prix.
Naman Keita of France won the bronze at the Olympics last year. He is surely a likely finalist with a best time of 48.27 this year.
Helsinki 2005 media team
**Subject to ratification
