Aliyah Abrams broke the ice for Guyana with a stirring run to book a semi-final place in the women’s 400 metres at the World Athletics Championships at Eugene, Oregon yesterday.
The national record holder clocked 51.98 second to finish second to Olympics gold medalist Shaunae Miller-Uibo to move on to the last 24 and keep Guyana’s hopes alive for success, Following first round exits of Emanuel Archibald and her sister Jasmine in the men’s and women’s 100 metres respectively, Aliyah battled through the last 50 metres to top among others American number two Kendall Ellis who was eliminated with a sixth-place finish.
‘I feel pretty good about it, a bit windy and not the best time but I can’t complain about that”, Abrams stated afterwards.
Although she was well off her personal best 51.13s, the Guyanese said she is not worried and will reset for the next round. “
“ I will give all I could try to reach the final, that’s my goal, “ she said adding that it is a pleasure for her representing Guyana. “ I am wearing the flag proudly, and doing the best I can, supporting the country on this world stage and it’s only upwards from here”.
Abrams came off the final curve in a bunch battling for the qualifying positions as Miller-Uibo was way ahead cruising. The Guyanese then pulled away from Puerto Rico’s Gabby Scott and Susanne Walli of Austria, to cross the line as the 21st of the 24 to advance.
One day after her sister’s participation ended, Aliyah said she is grateful for Jasmine’s presence at the meet, stating that “she is always supporting, always helping when it’s necessary with regards to preparation and all that stuff”.
Apart from double Olympics champion, Bahamas’ Miller- Uibo, Abrams will have to pull out the stops in the semis against strong challengers including the highly acclaimed Maraleidi Paulino of the Dominican Republic, Poland’s Natalia Kaczmarek along with Jamaica’s Stephanie McPherson and Candice McCloud, depending upon on her draw.
The semifinals are set for Wednesday and Abrams is aiming to become the first Guyanese female quarter-miler to make it to the last eight in either the World Championships or Olympic Games. Commonwealth gold medalist Aliann Pompey made it to semi-finals while June Marcia Griffith, the Pan Am Games silver medalist also never advanced to the final eight.
Abrams is having a solid last 12 months performance-wise after placing fifth at the World Indoor Championships in April to follow up reaching the semis of the Tokyo Olympics last year.
