Pavel Maslak in the 400m at the IAAF World Indoor Championships Portland 2016 (© Getty Images)
All medal favourites advanced to the 400m semifinals later this evening, including Czech Republic’s defending champion Pavel Maslak and world leader Bralon Taplin of Grenada.
Qatar’s 19-year old Abdalelah Haroun, who set a world indoor best at 500m this winter, posted the fastest time with his 46.16 win in the fourth heat. Maslak dominated the fifth heat easily with 46.58 as did Taplin in the third heat with 46.24.
The Trinidad and Tobago pair of Deon Lendore and Olympic bronze medallist Lalonde Gordon dominated their respective heats.
World indoor bronze medallist Kyle Clemons and Bahamas’ Alonzo Russell are also through to the semifinals as the two fastest non-automatic qualifiers with their 46.66 clockings in the first heat.
Costa Rica’s 2012 world indoor champion Nery Brenes also made it to the next round following the disqualification of US indoor champion Vernon Norwood in the fourth heat.
Javier Clavelo Robinson for the IAAF
