T&T sprinters Kyle Greaux and Jereem Richards shared contrasting fortunes in the men’s 200 metres at the World Championships in Doha, Qatar, on Monday.
On a cool evening, Greaux, running in semifinal three, placed second in a time of 20.24 seconds behind Canada’s Andre De Grasse, who crossed in 20.08 and automatically progressed to today’s final at 3.40 pm (TT time).
Earlier though, compatriot Richards, racing in semifinal one, placed fourth in 20.28 and missed out on qualifying as he was the third-fastest loser and ninth overall. Only the two fastest progressed to the medal race.
Greaux reached his second major 200m final after also booking a spot in the Commonwealth Games final in Australia last year.
“It was tough, tough,” he told Guardian Media Sports afterwards.
“Mentally I was there. I have had an injury for a while which the medical team have been working on and while on Sunday it was okay, today it was bad. I felt the full brunt, I have a degenerating cartilage to my left knee and Dr (Anyl) Gopeesingh has been doing a lot of therapy and support with the team but it flared up real bad today.
“But I am certain many athletes have injuries, it is part of the life so I will suck it up, get the required medication and get ready for Tuesday. I may be hobbling around for the night and while it is nerve-racking a little to reach the final, I am not going to let anything stop me from getting a medal, I am up to the challenge.”
Ahead of the final, the young man, who, over the last two years has come of age in stature and maturity, added, “My aim is to cause an upset and get a medal. While I do not think about time, if I can get close to my personal best (19.97) or below it will be good.”
On the lane assignments, Greaux remarked: “I would love to get any draw but the outside or inside where I can compete with anyone. But whatever happens I am into the finals and I am not about making excuses, whatever the good Lord brings I will graciously accept. I came here to do that and this is what all the work is about.”
After learning that Richards narrowly missed out on reaching the final, a disconsolate Greaux said: “That is not good to find out as I wanted my countryman Jereem to be there with me but now I know it rests on me in the final, I plan to go out there and give it my all tomorrow (Tuesday).”
Greaux will race from lane eight in the final against a tough field which includes USA’s Noah Lyles in lane five, Great Britain’s Adam Gemili (lane six), De Grasse (lane seven) and defending Turkish champion Ranil Guliyev in lane nine.
Meanwhile, Richards has every right to feel aggrieved of not advancing to the medal race.
“I am just totally disappointed. I do not know what to say, I came here feeling well and thought my start was good today,” Richards said.
Recalling the race, a visibly upset Richards added, “But I do not know what happened, try as I could, I could not catch up to the guy in third, it felt as if I would do it but it just did not happen. I came off the bend good and my acceleration was good.
“This is my bread and butter and after the season I have had this was my goal to reach the finals again, it has been tough mentally and physically this year.”
Though disappointed, Richards remains focused on his goals and learning from all experiences - good and bad.
“I have to thank God I got this far and in the end, it appears it just did not go as expected and wanted but praise be to Him.”
Before the results were confirmed, Richards was hopeful, saying, “Now I have to hope for the scraps (to be among the two fastest losers) and that is not where I wanted to be. The 4x400m relay was always extra-bonus but this is my event so I am just not pleased with how it finished.”
Earlier on Monday, there were mixed results for T&T’s two women sprinters in the 200m.
First, Kamaria Durant was second in heat one in a time of 23.08, which placed her in 21st position overall going into today’s semifinals. Mauricia Prieto could only finish sixth in the second heat in a time of 23.33 for 31st overall to bow out in the first round.
Also on Tuesday, leading T&T quarter-miler Machel Cedenio will be first on the track in the men’s 400m heat one running out of lane three at 9.35 am (TT time). He will line-up against the likes of Jamaica’s Akeem Bloomfield and Great Britain’s Matthew Hudson-Smith.
Next will be Durant in semifinal two of the women’s 200m semifinal from lane five at 2.51 pm (TT time), with favourite Dina Asher-Smith of Great Britain, who was second in the 100m and USA’s Dezerea Bryant also engaged in the contest.