Beijing 2015 Bronze medallist Trayvon Bromell will be missing in action when the IAAF World Championships, billed to hold in August, gets underway in London.
Bromell, who seems to be engaged in a fitness battle, finished 3rd with a time of 10.22s in Heat 5 of the men’s 100m preliminaries on Friday, ruling him out of the semis and final of the US Track and Field Championships on Saturday. His heat was dominated by Kyree King in 10.19s, while Dentarius Locke placed 2nd in 10.22s.
The 21-year old, who is a joint Bronze medallist with Canada’s Andre De Grasse, hasn’t been as fortunate as his 22-year old counterpart who won another Bronze in the 4x100m in Beijing, three Olympic medals at Rio 2016, and GOLD in the 4x200m at the 2017 IAAF World Relays.
However, he upstaged former World Record (WR) holder in the 100m, Asafa Powell to win the 60m World Indoors title in 2016.
Osaka 2007 Triple GOLD medallist Tyson Gay was also eliminated in the heats of the men’s 100m at the ongoing US National Trials after finishing 3rd in Heat 2, which was won by new sprinting sensation and NCAA 100m/200m champion Christian Coleman in 9.93s.
Jeff Demps was 2nd in 10.03s, while Gay clocked a time of 10.17s in 3rd. The 34-year old will be seeking for redemption in the 200m on Saturday.
Jaylen Bacon (10.01s), Christopher Belcher (10.02s), Sean McLean (10.13s) and Marqueze Washington (10.16s) qualified for the semis from Heat 1. Isiah Young dominated Heat 3 in 9.97s. Ronnie Baker (10.02s), Jarrion Lawson (10.03s), Cameron Burrell (10.11s) and Remontay McClain (10.14s) will join him in the next round.
Justin Gatlin was given the verdict ahead of Mike Rodgers in Heat 4, though both sprinters clocked a time of 10.00s. Beejay Lee was 3rd in 10.05s.
Tori Bowie was the fastest qualifier with her time of 10.90s in the women’s 100m. She was followed by Aaliyah Brown (11.01s) and Ashley Henderson (11.16s) in Heat 2.
Heat 1 was dominated by World Indoor Champion Barbara Pierre in 10.99s. Also qualifying for the semis from the same heat are Kimberlyn Duncan (11.03s), Jenna Prandini (11.05s), Tianna Bartoletta (11.07s), Destiny Carter (11.12s) and Deanna Hill (11.17s).
Deajah Stevens finished ahead of US defending champion English Gardner (11.04s) in Heat 3 after posting a time of 11.01s. Ariana Washington (11.06s) and Hannah Cunliffe (11.12s) also made it to the semis.
Morolake Akinosun clocked the second overall fastest time of 10.98s to win Heat 4 ahead of Allyson Felix (11.03s) and Aleia Hobbs (11.05s).
Qualifiers for the men’s 400m semis include Michael Cherry (45.08s), Nathan Strother (45.17s) and Calvin Smith (45.52s) from Heat 1. David Verburg finished 4th and didn’t advance to the next round.
Gil Roberts (44.63s) was the man to beat in Heat 2 as he finished ahead of Bryshon Nellum (44.85s), Kyle Collins (44.95s) and Michael Norman Jr (45.01s).
Paul Dedewo returned a time of 45.13s to finish ahead of the pack in Heat 3. He was followed by Vernon Norwood (45.21s) and Tyrese Cooper (45.45s). Completing the list of semifinalists are Tony McQuay (45.30s), Mylik Kerley (45.32s) and Patrick Leeper (45.52s) from Heat 4, and Fred Kerley (45.13s), Wil London III (45.33s) and Ricky Morgan Jr from Heat 5.
Beijing 2015 and Rio 2016 Bronze medallist LaShawn Merritt already secured a wildcard entry into the event as winner of the 2016 Diamond League Trophy. Instead, he will focus on the 200m at the ongoing championships.
In the women’s event, Quanera Hayes (51.20s) upstaged Shakima Wimbley (51.58s) to win Heat 1. Other athletes who advanced to the semis from Heat 1 are Carly Muscaro (51.86s), Jessica Beard (51.90s), Zola Golden (52.02s) and Jordan Lavender (52.34s).
Courtney Okolo proved too strong for the rest of her rivals in Heat 2 as she stormed to victory in an impressive time of 50.97s. She was followed by Daina Harper (51.15s), Elexis Guster (51.58s) and Ekundayo Sogbesan (51.81s) who all made it to the next round.
Six semifinalists emerged in Heat 3. They are Kendall Ellis (50.81s), Phyllis Francis (51.12s), Makenzie Dunmore (51.42s), Natasha Hastings (51.43s), Cameron Pettigrew (51.74s) and Lexis Lambert (52.40s).
