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Report26 Aug 2003


Event Report Men 400m Hurdles heats

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Every one of the world's top ten competing in Paris qualified easily this evening from the first round of the men's 400m hurdles. The fastest time was 48.43, by reigning World Champion Felix SANCHEZ (DOM).
 
Sanchez, unbeaten since July last year, looked to be in scintillating form as he rounded the final bend well ahead of the rest of the field. He switched off with 20 metres to run, still finishing 0.32 seconds ahead of the Jamaican Dean GRIFFITHS.
 
The USA's Joey WOODY, third in the US Championships this year, enters the semi-finals as the second fastest qualifier, after winning his heat in 48.53. After going out hard in the first 100m, he was neck and neck with Chris RAWLINSON (GBR) at the ninth hurdle. Woody edged ahead of the Commonwealth Champion, who also qualified, in the final sprint for the line.
 
Three time Jamaican champion, Kemel THOMPSON, who probably has the best chance of upsetting Sanchez in the final, ran an excellent first 200m in his heat to cruise home in 48.63 in front of Jiri MUZIK. The Czech came home like a steam train after sitting back in sixth before the home straight.
 
In the final heat, it was the Olympic bronze medallist, Llewellyn HERBERT (RSA), surging ahead after the tenth hurdle, clocking 48.55 and ensuring himself a semi-final berth, ahead of the USA's 20-year-old Bershawn JACKSON, who was later disqualified.
 
Having not competed much this season, Olympic silver medallist Hadi AL-SOMAILY (KSA) could be the dark horse of the event, running a season's best 48.97 to qualify as a fastest loser.
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