All eyes on McMaster for 400m hurdles

By Davion Smith, BVI News Journalist

All eyes will be on the BVI’s Kyron McMaster when he takes on some of the fastest 400-metre hurdlers in the Commonwealth this week.

Having run faster than all his competitors this season, the 21-year-old is the man everyone will be looking to beat at the Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia.

His journey for gold officially starts on Tuesday (April 10) when he runs his first heat of the event.

Once he qualifies, McMaster will advance to the finals on April 12.

McMaster might be a favourite to win but he is expected to receive major competition; especially from the Jamaicans who are entering the competition with formidable season-best times of their own.

In fact, Jamaican hurdler Jaheel Hyde is said to have a personal axe to grind with McMaster, who forced Hyde to settle for a silver medal at the National Stadium in Jamaica last year.

Hyde is entering the competition with a season-best of 48.52 seconds while McMaster is entering with an impressive 47.80 seconds season’s best.

But, one must not rule England’s Jack Green who is the third fastest competitor this season with a time of 48.77. Jamaica’s Ricardo Cunningham and his 48.83 season’s best is also one to watch out for.

Former World Champion Nicholas Kiplagat Bett of Kenya is another strong contender.

However, McMaster already has experience in taking on a World Champion.

The BVI athletic sensation defeated the reigning World 400-metre Hurdles Champ (Karsten Warholm), and reigning Olympic Champion (Kerron Clement) during the IAAF Diamond League in Zurich back in August.

Now, with a powerful 400-metre hurdles lineup for the Commonwealth Games, sports fans are in for nail-biting competition.

In the meantime, other BVI athletes are also participating in this year’s Games.

Below is a schedule of local athletes competing: