World Athletics Championships, Oregon 2022 |19 July 2022

Ned Azemia has clocked 53.07 seconds in the 400m hurdles at the ongoing World Athletics Championships

Azemia clocks 53.07 seconds in 400m hurdles to finish sixth in heat

Local athlete Ned Azemia was in action in the 400m hurdles on Saturday at the ongoing World Athletics Championships 2022 at the Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon, United States where he clocked 53.07 seconds to finish sixth in his heat.

Saturday’s result was not enough to steer Azemia further into the competition which is considered to be the track and field's biggest spectacle outside of the Olympic Games, and will see medals awarded in 49 events, including six road events at the University of Oregon's American football stadium, the Autzen Stadium.

Azemia’ personal best time is 49.82 seconds set in May 2018 during the NJCAA Division I Men's Outdoor Track & Field Championships at the BG Products Veterans Sports Complex El Dorado, Kansas, USA, bettering his previous best of 50.74 seconds which he achieved on August 15, 2016 during the Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

He is presently attending the University of Miami where he is majoring in media management after earning an athletics scholarship following his performance at the Rio Olympics.

Saturday’ heats – number three – was won by Norwegian Karsten Warholm in 49.34 seconds, finishing ahead of Belgian Julien Watrin who clocked 49.83 seconds.

Jamaican Jaheel Hyde was third in 50.03 seconds, pushing Kenyan Moitalel Mpoke Naadokila into fourth place after clocking 50.19 seconds.

Swiss Julien Bonvin was fifth in 50.40 seconds, while Juander Santos of the Dominican Republic finished seventh overall in 58.80 seconds.

Roland Duval