The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Chief Sports Editor

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

OLYMPIAN Wendell Miller ran a personal best, but it was just shy of him advancing to his first global individual semifinal event today at the World Athletics Indoor Championships in Nanjing, China.

As the first of the five Bahamians to compete on day one of the championships. the 22-year-old Miller placed third in the third of four heats of the men's 400m in a lifetime best of 47.38 seconds.

Miller ended up in 16th place overall. He trailed Hungary’s Attlia Molnair, who won the heat in 46.35, followed by Japan’s Figa Sato in his personal best of 46.60. 

The first two in each heat and the next two fastest times advanced to the semifinal.

American Christopher Bailey posted the fastest qualifying time of 45.70 to lead the field going into the semifinals.

This was Miller’s first individual event after he teamed up with Alonzo Russell, Javonya Valcourt and Quincy Penn as they competed in the mixed 4 x 400m relay at the Olympic Games last year in Paris, Francis. 

The team, however, failed to advance. 

The rest of Team Bahamas in Nanjing will compete over the final two days of competition at the championships. Sprinter Camille Rutherford, making her debut at a major senior international competition, will be competing in the heats of the women’s 60m during the morning session on Saturday.

If she advances, the 22-year-old Rutherford will run in both the semifinals and the final during the evening session.

The highlight of the meet will conclude on Sunday when the final three athletes to compete.

Anthaya Charlton,  the top performer so far this year in the long jump, will contest the final of her first major international senior meet during the morning session.

The final for the 21-year-old Charlton will be staged just before her sister, world record holder Devynne Charlton, will begin defense of her title in the preliminaries of the women’s 60m hurdles. 

The 29-year-old Charlton will be competing with fellow Olympian Denisha Cartwright, 25, as they provide a 1-2 punch for the 60m hurdles. 

If both Charlton and Cartwright advances, they will be back in the semifinals and the final in the final session of the championships.

Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations president Drumeco Archer, who is attending the championships as the head of the Bahamian delegation, said the athletes are all geared up and ready to compete.

“The team is settling in well and we are expecting great competition from all of the athletes that are here representing Team Bahamas,” Archer said. “It’s not a very large team, but I think it’s a team that will have a lot of impact.”

Archer, in his commitments just prior to the start of the championships, said Miller appears to be in the “best shape” of his life, so they’re looking for him to get the ball rolling for Team Bahamas.

But as the defending champion, Archer said (Devynne) Charlton is expected to lead the team and will have good company in Cartwright. They both came off an appearance at the Olympics where Charlton got back to the final for sixth place in the 100m hurdles and Cartwright fell short in the repechage round. 

Also noted that as the world leader in the long jump, a lot is expected from (Anthaya) Charlton and Rutherford has indicated that she has prepared well for the championships, so he’s excited sbout what will transpire for Team Bahamas.

Traveling along with Archer on the team are head coach Bernard Rolle and manager by Foster Dorsett. Dr Kent Bazard will serve as the team doctor.