GUYANA’S veteran quarter-miler Aliann Pompey failed to impress and was knocked out of the 400 metres semi-finals at the 13th World Athletics Championships in Daegu, Korea yesterday. Pompey finished in a disappointing fifth position with the slowest time of the five heats that decided the athletes whose chances are still alive to chase global glory.
Ukraine’s Antonina Yefemova blazed the one-lap race in 51.35 to win Heat 2. She was followed home by Russia’s top quarter-miler Anatasiya Kapachinskaya (51.43), Senegal’s Ndeyte Faton Somnah (52.23), USA’s  Jessica Baird (52.40) and Pompey (53.59).
Jamaica’s Novelene Williams-Mills showed her class in Heat 1 when she posted an impressive 51.30 secs. She got home ahead of American world 200-champion Allison Felix who is hoping to register a unique double at the Championships.
Felix clocked 51.45 while Ireland’s Joanne Cuddily placed third with 51.82, Italy’s Martz Milani (51.94) and Brazil’s Geisa Aparecide Continho (52.15) finished in that order and made it through to the next round.
Jamaica’s rising star Rosemarie Whyte continues to impress and made light work of her opponents in Heat 3 with a winning time of 51.38 secs. She pulled ahead of Russia’s Antonina Krishapka (51.52), Ukraine’s Nataliya Phyhyda (51.67), Ethiopia’s Fantu Magiso (52.23) and Zambia’s Rachel Nachula (53.49).
Botswana’s Amantle Monsho displayed remarkable sustained speed to clock the fastest time among all the title aspirants in winning Heat 4 in 50.95 secs. She was too good for American Francena McCorory (52.18), Great Britain’s Lee McConnell (52.75), Estonia’s Maris Magi (52.93) and Colombia’s Norma Rodriquez (53.35).
American reigning world champion Sanya Richards-Ross is bent on retaining her crown and cruised home ahead of Jamaica’s Shericka Williams (51.66), Sweden’s Moa Hjehner (52.26), Czechoslovakia’s Denise Rosolova (52.61) and Great Britain’s Nicola Sanders (52..65.
Richards-Ross will be challenged by Jamaican duo Whyte and Williams-Mills as well as Monsho and Felix for the gold medal.