The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

LONDON, England: Grand Bahamian native Tynia Gaither advanced to the semifinal of the women’s 200 metres on Thursday at the 16th IAAF World Championships with a solid run behind defending champion and current 100m bronze medalist Dafne Schippers from the Netherlands.

While the Bahamian clocked 22.98 seconds for ninth place overall going into Thursday’s semis, she couldn’t catch Schippers, who produced the fastest qualifying time in the first of seven heats in 22.63. Bahamian Olympic gold medalist Shaunae Miller-Uibo, here for double duties, had the second fastest time of 22.69 and Anthonique Strachan also advanced by running third in heat six in 23.23 for 15th place.

“It was really good. It was one of my best races that I’ve had in months,” said Gaither, who came into the championships with a season’s best of 22.71, just off her personal best of 22.54.

24-year-old Gaither said she’s just excited to be in the semis where she’s confident that she can run faster.

“I knew I had to get out, of course, she’s behind me,” said Gaithers, who was in lane seven with Schippers in six. “That was what I tried to focus on. I tried to focus on my technique and just stay strong for the whole race because I knew I would be able to finish if I did so.”

For the semis, when she will run out of lane seven with Ivory Coast’s 100m silver medalist Marie-Josee Ta Lou in five, Gaither said her aim is to lower her time.

“I’m trying to get back to my usual times, so expect me to run faster than that,” she insisted.

After getting eliminated in the second round of the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in her debut at a global event, Gaither said she’s trying to enjoy every moment of this experience.

“It felt like Rio actually, This is only my second major championship meet. It felt great. The crowd always gets me going,” she noted.

And with both Steven Gardiner and Miller-Uibo making the finals of their respective 400m, Gaither said it’s only the beginning of what is to come from Team Bahamas.

“I’m excited for that,” she summed up.