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News14 Mar 2003


Men 400 metre heats

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In what may be a preview of the final on Sunday, Britain’s Daniel Caines, the event’s season leader, out dueled American Tyree Washington in the day’s first heat, 45.85 to 45.90. 

Washington out finessed Caines for the pole position at the end of the first lap, but the British athlete came back in the final metres for a hard-fought win.

The fast pace of Caines’ heat brought qualifying positions to European indoor champion Marek Plawgo of Poland (46.33) and Tunisia’s Sofiane Labidi (46.47), the latter a national record.

In only his third indoor race ever, Australia’s Daniel Batman made a relentless run, aiming, as did Caines, for the inside lane at the halfway mark.  He coasted home in 46.11, ahead of Grenada’s Alleyne Francique and Corey Nelson of the US, both of whom were later disqualified for a lane infringement.  Officially, second place devolved to European indoor bronze medallist, Ioan Vieru of Romania (46.84).

Spain’s David Canal (46.39) and Jamie Baulch of Britain (46.44) were the other heat winners.

Among the others advancing to Saturday’s semifinals were European outdoor finalist Cédric Van Branteghem of Belgium (46.75), and a pair of Irish runners, Paul McKee (46.68) and David McCarthy (46.69).

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