ISTANBUL, Turkey, CMC – Teenaged Grenadian sensation Kirani James failed to produce the anticipated fireworks, finishing last in the men’s 400 metres final as Bahamians Demetrius Pinder and Chris Brown stepped up to capture silver bronze at the World Indoor Championships here yesterday.
The 19-year-old, the reigning outdoor 400m World champion after his pyrotechnics in Daegu last year, could not repeat and shockingly trailed home the six-man field in a time of 46.21 seconds.
Costa Rican Nery Brenes, meanwhile, upset the field to win in a meet record time of 45.11 seconds, with Pinder second in a season-best 45.34 seconds and Brown third in 45.90 seconds.
“I want to thank God for giving me the strength today. This is my first individual medal at World Championships,” an elated Pinder said.
“The Bahamas is a small nation but we keep showing we can achieve big things. We came second and third today. Indoors is all about speed, which I have. I want to celebrate at home and continue to train hard for London [Olympics].”
The 33-year-old Brown, the defending champion in the event, said his third place proved he could still compete with the new generation of quarter-milers.
“I would like to thank God for this opportunity. This is my fourth World Indoor Championships individual medal and I am still running well against younger guys,” the Olympic distance relay silver medallist pointed out.
“Every medal is important, but this is the last World Indoors running the individual relay. An individual outdoor medal is missing and I will get it in London.”
Pinder won his semi-final on Friday in a time of 45.94 seconds to easily qualify while the US Virgin Islands’ Tabarie Henry followed him home, to also make the final.
Brown also captured his semi-final heat in 46.37 while James was second to Brenes in semi-final heat three, clocking 46.04.
In the 60 metres sprint, Jamaican Nesta Carter copped silver as American Justin Gatlin raced to victory in a season-best time of 6.46 seconds.
Gatlin, refashioning his career following a four-year doping ban, burst out of the blocks in lane three and streaked to the finish with Carter chasing him down from lane five to clock 6.54 seconds.
Trinidadian Marc Burns was fifth in a time of 6.62 seconds.
“My start was good but I still have to work on my execution. I am still grateful to God for the medal, the first one for Jamaica here,” Carter said.
“This is a good preparation for the outdoor season and I will resume training on Tuesday. I should run my first outdoor race at home.”
