Back in the race | McMaster successfully appeals ‘disqualification’ from 400M final

Local athletic sensation Kyron McMaster has successfully appealed his disqualification from the finals of the men’s 400-metre hurdles and is now set to start in the event come Monday, September 30.

McMaster was disqualified following a lane violation during his semi-final race on Saturday morning.

“It (the reported violation) was for not clearing the hurdle properly. But it (the said hurdle) broke upon attempting to clear,” McMaster explained to BVI News before stating: “We won the appeal and I will be running”.

McMaster had tripped while attempting to jump over the first hurdle but managed to recover in time to finish in third place with a time of 48.40 seconds and has earned a non-automatic qualifier spot in the finals of the track event on Monday.

His impressive third-place finish captured the attention of British commentators who commended him for recovering and finishing in the top three in a world-class time.

“I don’t know how McMaster did what he did … I thought he did incredibly well to hold it together [and] to keep his composure physically as well as mentally,” said Jennifer ‘Jenny’ Meadows — a former British Athlete and an official sports commentator for the championships.

PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED STORY

Barring a successful appeal, British Virgins Islands athlete Kyron McMaster has been disqualified from the men’s 400-metre hurdles final of the 2019 World Championships in Doha, Qatar.

McMaster was disqualified following what BVI News understands to be lane infringement during his semi-final race on Saturday morning.

McMaster had tripped while attempting to jump over the first hurdle. He managed to recover but officials have said one of his feet crossed over into the lane of one of his competitors. This is considered a violation, BVI News further understands.

However, our news centre has been told there is still a chance that McMaster might make the finals.

Answering questions from BVI News following the nail-biting race, President of the BVI Athletics Association Steve Augustine said: “An appeal [of the disquaification] has been lodged [but] the hearing has not taken place yet.

It is not clear when the hearing will take place.

McMaster, who is the reigning Commonwealth Games champion, finished third in 48.40 seconds — a time that fast enough to earn him a non-automatic qualifier spot in the finals if his appeal is successful. The final is scheduled for September 30.

McMaster hailed as impressive

Meanwhile, the local athlete’s impressive third-place finish captured the attention of British commentators who commended him for recovering and finishing in the top-three with a world-class time.

“I don’t know how McMaster did what he did … I don’t know how he even managed to actually stay on his feet [after tripping] and still have the strength in the home straight,” said Jennifer ‘Jenny’ Meadows — a former British Athlete and an official sports commentator for the championships.

“I thought he did incredibly well to hold it together [and] to keep his composure physically as well as mentally,” she added.

The Virgin Islands athlete is considered a strong medal contender in the track event.