The Tribune

UPDATE: Warren Fraser has automatically qualified for the men's 60m semifinal, finishing second in Heat 3. Adrian Griffith was fourth in heat 5 and failed to qualify.

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

SOPOT, Poland: Chris 'Fireman' Brown and Shaunae Miller both powered their way through the finish line ahead of their rivals in their respective heats to produce the leading and second fastest qualifying times going into tonight's semifinal of the men and women 400 metres.

The duo, who are both pegged to be in the medal hunt on Saturday night, had season best times in the morning session of day one of the International Amateur Athletic Federation (IAAF) 15th World Indoor Championships.

Brown's sizzling time of 45.84 seconds came in the last of five heats after he came from third place in the first lap of the two-metre track. He maneuvered into the lead on the back stretch and he coasted home.

"I just give the Lord praise and credit. I came here, executed my race and caught up with these younger guys," Brown said. "Every time it gets tougher and tougher, but with the grace of the Lord, I believe I can do what I need to do to get on the podium."

The reigning bronze medalist from the 14th World's in Istanbul in 2012 said he's just as hungry as his other competitors for a medal and although they made him work a little harder than expected, he's ready to come back for tonight's semifinal.

"My history at the World Championships is yesterday. Today is a new day. I focus on now. I know my past, but I don't know the future so I look forward to coming out and representing the Bahamas to the fullest."

In the semifinal at 3:25 pm, Brown will run out of lane five in the last of two heats in between Nery Brenes of Croatia in lane four and Luquelin Santos of the Dominican Republic in lane six. He said he will just "go there and have some fun."

The first three in each heat will make up the six lanes in the final on Saturday at 2:30 pm.

Miller, meanwhile, made her global indoor debut a spectacular one.

Running out of lane six, she surged to the front of the pack from the start of the race and had the rest of the field chasing her as she maintained her position.

Her time trailed just that of Regina George of Nigeria, who took heat one in her season's best of 51.60 seconds as well.

Miller opted not to do an interview, but indicated that she's "feeling good" and ready to compete again at 2:55 pm. In her semifinal, she will run out of lane six in the last of two heats. In her heat will be American Francena McCorory in lane three and Jamaican Kaliese Spencer in lane five.

The first three in each heat will qualify for Saturday's final at 1:40pm.

Also starting at 12:35pm, Warren Fraser and Adrian Griffith will contest the men's 60 metres. Fraser will be out first in lane seven in heat three and Griffith will follow in lane six in heat five.

The first three plus the six fastest finishers will qualify for the semifinal on Saturday, starting at 12:30 pm. If they advance, the final will be ran at 3 pm.

Head coach Rupert Gardiner said the team is looking forward to the championships and he anticipates that the start by Brown and Miller will propel the other competitors as they compete over the next two days.