LaShawn Merritt sets a World Leading mark of 44.37 seconds in the men's 400m semi-final in Berlin (© Getty Images)
After a worldleading 44.37 run, reigning Olympic champion Lashawn Merritt clearly underscored that he will be the man to beat in Friday’s 400m final.
After a conservative start over the first half, the 23-year-old powered toward and through the turn unchallenged and motored home to cross the line with the season’s fastest run, eclipsing his own pre-Berlin 44.50.
“With 44.37, I can’t complain,” said Merritt, who arrived in the German capital unbeaten in six competitions over the full lap this season. “Here in Berlin the adrenaline is there. In a lot of races, the adrenaline has not bee there.”
Only the top two finishers moving on by right, the racing was fierce. Cuban William Collazo looked to be a solid choice to take the second qualifying spot behind Merritt, but he was brilliantly overtaken by Trinidad & Tobago’s Renny Quow who looked very strong with his 44.53 career best. The 21-year-old, an Olympic finalist last year, brought a 44.82 best from 2008 to the line
Finishing third was Collazo whose 44.93 was also a personal best, but not fast enough to move on.
Not quite as fast as his main rival, defending champion Jeremy Wariner nonetheless did put up a solid performance in the first heat. Taking a clear lead just before entering the final bend, the lanky Texan won unchallenged in 44.69. Behind him, 23-year-old Michael Bingham of Great Britain made a significant leap, running down Frenchman Leslie Djhone down the homestretch to finish second in 44.74.
“It’s still not where my goals are,” said the ambitious American-born Briton, who made his first visit to sub-45 territory.
Djhone was next in 44.80, with Irishman David Gillick (44.88) fourth. The pair advanced as the next two fastest.
Bob Ramsak for the IAAF
After a conservative start over the first half, the 23-year-old powered toward and through the turn unchallenged and motored home to cross the line with the season’s fastest run, eclipsing his own pre-Berlin 44.50.
“With 44.37, I can’t complain,” said Merritt, who arrived in the German capital unbeaten in six competitions over the full lap this season. “Here in Berlin the adrenaline is there. In a lot of races, the adrenaline has not bee there.”
Only the top two finishers moving on by right, the racing was fierce. Cuban William Collazo looked to be a solid choice to take the second qualifying spot behind Merritt, but he was brilliantly overtaken by Trinidad & Tobago’s Renny Quow who looked very strong with his 44.53 career best. The 21-year-old, an Olympic finalist last year, brought a 44.82 best from 2008 to the line
Finishing third was Collazo whose 44.93 was also a personal best, but not fast enough to move on.
Not quite as fast as his main rival, defending champion Jeremy Wariner nonetheless did put up a solid performance in the first heat. Taking a clear lead just before entering the final bend, the lanky Texan won unchallenged in 44.69. Behind him, 23-year-old Michael Bingham of Great Britain made a significant leap, running down Frenchman Leslie Djhone down the homestretch to finish second in 44.74.
“It’s still not where my goals are,” said the ambitious American-born Briton, who made his first visit to sub-45 territory.
Djhone was next in 44.80, with Irishman David Gillick (44.88) fourth. The pair advanced as the next two fastest.
Bob Ramsak for the IAAF
