(Budapest) Three Canadians have earned tickets to the 200m semi-finals at the World Athletics Championships.
Andre De Grasse, Aaron Brown and Brendon Rodney all finished in the top two of their heat during the preliminaries.
De Grasse, the reigning Olympic champion, cleared the distance in 20.28 seconds, finishing second in his heat behind American Erriyon Knighton. The latter won bronze at the Worlds last year.
“I’ve had more trouble this season than in the past and I usually know what to expect at worlds,” De Grasse said. This is the first time that I have been a little more uncertain when I arrive here. I didn’t know what I could do. So I didn’t want to push too hard, but I also wanted a good performance to qualify.
“The result was pretty good,” added the 28-year-old Ontarian. I think by tweaking a few things, I can aim for a time under 20 seconds. »
De Grasse qualified for Worlds on his last attempt, when he won the Canadian title on July 30 with a time of 20.01 seconds. He was unable to qualify for the 100 meters.
“It will probably be a bit more difficult in the semis because everyone ran well,” said De Grasse of Markham. Everyone will probably push a little more. It might take under 20 seconds to make it to the final. »
Brown, of Toronto, was second (20.08) behind Britain’s Zharnel Hughes (19.99) in a particularly high heat.
Brown’s time was the fourth fastest of the day behind also Olympic silver medalist Kenneth Bednarek (20.01) and reigning two-time world champion and 100-meter world champion earlier this week Noah Lyles ( 20.05).
“I preferred to focus on the 200 meters because I knew the competition would be fierce this year,” Brown said. To date, it pays off. I’m happy with my race. »
Rodney, also from Toronto, won his heat with a time of 20.14, his best this season.
The semi-finals will take place on Thursday, then the final on Friday.
In other competitions on Wednesday, Toronto’s Jazz Shukla qualified for the semifinals of the women’s 800 meters with a time of two minutes 00.30 seconds, her best ever.
British Columbia’s Camryn Rogers is set to begin her quest for gold in the women’s hammer throw during the evening session.
Rogers, 24, won silver last year in her first appearance at worlds.