Jamaica's Walker bags silver at World U-18

Hurdler Sanique Walker bagged silver for Jamaica on the penultimate day of competition at the 10th IAAF World Under-18 Championships in Nairobi, Kenya, yesterday.

Walker finished second in the 400 metres hurdles in 58.27 to lift Jamaica to seventh spot on the medals table going into today's final day of competition. Jamaica has five medals - two gold, a silver and two bronze. South Africa leads the table with four gold, two silver and two bronze.

Walker, the fastest qualifier going into the final with 58.74, was the overwhelming favourite for the gold and this looked a reality for the majority of the race. She, however, hit the top of the final barrier and lost her composure and was caught on the line by South African Zaney Van Der Walt, who won in 58.23. Germany's Gisele Wender was third in a personal best 59.17.

WILLIAMS HAD PROBLEMS

After a personal best of 51.94 to win the second semi-final and advancing as the second fastest, Jamaica's Rovane Williams was favoured for a medal in the boys' 400m hurdles final. However, he had problems throughout the race and could only manage seventh. Zazini Sokwakhana completed a double for South Africa as he won impressively in 49.27.

Jamaica will be involved in two finals today, the girls' 100m hurdles, with Britany Anderson and Daszay Freeman, and the mixed 4x400m.

Both Jamaicans advanced in fine style. Anderson, the world leader in the event, won easily in 13.10 seconds. Freeman was second in her heat in a personal best 13.07. France's Cyrena Samba Mayela won the heat in a personal best and world leading 12.98.

Jamaica (3:25.61) finished second in their mixed 4x400m heat behind Kenya, in 3:24.76.

There was no luck for Xavier Nairne in the boys' 200m semi-finals. He placed sixth in 21.82 seconds and failed to advance.