McMaster advances to Olympic semifinals
BVI’s Commonwealth champion, Kyron McMaster, finished third in Heat 1 of the men’s 400 metre hurdles at the Olympic Games at the Stade de France in Paris earlier today, running in Lane 2.
He edged out Sweden’s Carl Bengstrom, finishing in 49.24 seconds and qualifying for the semifinals on Wednesday.
“The main objective was to secure the big Q, so once I positioned myself for the first 250 meters into the race, I just kept it and eased it home,” McMaster said after the race. “[I] tried not to aggravate anything, kept my composure and secured the finish.” USA’s Rai Benjamin finished first in 48.82, while Jamaica’s Jaheel Hyde came second in 49.08.
McMaster has been dealing with a persistent anterior labrum injury that has bothered him throughout the season. He has been working with his team on a successful pain management programme that will enable him to compete in the second Olympic appearance of his career.
“I just wanted to start competing and I hated that I had to wait for two days to go by [in the] Olympics to start competing I really just wanted to compete so I’m glad I was able to come on the track today and compete,” he added.
Norwegian world and Olympic record holder Karsten Warholm emerged as the fastest qualifier for the semifinals, winning Heat 2 in an impressive 47.57. France’s Clement Ducos (47.69) and Qatar’s Abderrahman Samba (48.35) placed second and third, respectively.
In the meantime, BVI sprinter Rikkoi Brathwaite completed his first Olympic appearance with an 8th-place finish, running in Lane 2 in Heat 1 of the 100m semifinals on August 4 with a time of 10:15 seconds.
Brathwaite made history as the first BVI male to reach the 100m semifinals at an Olympic Games with a qualifying time of 10.13, placing third in the first round of the competition.
“Coming off the warm-up, everything was firing right. I had everything going,” Brathwaite commented after the race. “I was ready and went to the race. When the gun went, I think I got out first, and as the race progressed, I had a lot of cramps everywhere at that point, but I still pursued the race and finished with a 10.15.”
The local speedster said he did not intend to finish the season this way but promised to return stronger.
Copyright 2024 BVI News, Media Expressions Limited. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or distributed.
You’ve still got a lot in the tank Kyron, give it all you’ve got and remember to dip at the line:)
Big shout out to Julian Alfred of St. Lucia for her gold medal effort. Big hugs an all.
Pitch forks and knives for those on the committee who saw it fit to put a SHUT THEM DOWN PITCH FORK IN THE WAY OF TWO OF THE GREATEST JAMAIAN FEMALE S[RINTERS EVER LIVED.
FRANCE IN ITS PERNICIUS WAY OF BEING SHOULD NEVER BE GIVEN HOST OF AN OLYMPIC GAME AGAIN. THE FRENCH RACISM STINKS TO HIGH PLUTO AND BEYOND
Hoping to see further reporting and legal action on this.on this.
Hoping Mr. Mc Master does not get the same shitty French s++t they fed those two Jamcan super stars and fine African Caribbean queens..
Shame on racist France.
JUST ADVANCES TO THE FINAL.