There were no surprises for the Caribbean women in the 60m hurdles on the final morning of the World Athletics Indoor Championships as all five regional representatives safely advanced to the semi-finals, each taking a different route to secure their spot in Nanjing, China.
Jamaica’s Ackera Nugent wasted no time asserting herself in the opening heat, as she exploded from the blocks in lane five and hit her rhythm quickly to glide over each hurdle with poise. By the time she reached her top stride, the race was all but over. She crossed the line comfortably in 7.90 seconds, ahead of American Christina Clemons (7.95s), with Denmark’s Ida Beiter Bomme (8.05s) and Japan’s Yumi Tanaka (8.06s) claiming the other automatic qualifying spots.
World record holder Devynne Charlton of The Bahamas showed the composure of a seasoned champion in heat two. Drawn in lane eight, Charlton had the race under control from the first hurdle, as he looked smooth and composed through to the line in 7.94 seconds. Ireland’s Sarah Lavin was second in 8.04 seconds, while Brazil’s Micaela Rosa De Mello (8.06s) and Croatia’s Mia Wild (8.13s) also secured spots in the semis.
St. Lucia’s Aasia Laurencin had a slightly tougher task in heat three, where she placed third in 8.06s. Racing from lane two, Laurencin got out well but quickly found herself being reeled in by the Netherlands’ Nadine Visser, who surged ahead to win in 7.82 seconds. American Amber Hughes (8.03s) was second, as Italy’s Elisa Maria Di Lazzaro (8.09s) claimed the fourth qualifying position.
The fourth heat featured two Caribbean contenders, and both delivered when it mattered most. Bahamian Denisha Cartwright was a picture of determination from lane seven, as she too was quick out of the blocks and held her form superbly to clock a personal best equaling 7.78 seconds. She finished second behind American Grace Stark, who also clocked a personal best 7.33 seconds.
Jamaica’s Amoi Brown (7.98s) overcame a slightly sluggish start from lane three to finish third, while China’s Yanni Wu (8.05s) claimed the final automatic qualifying spot.
The final is scheduled 6:35am Jamaica time on Sunday.