Levy to step up in 60m hurdles semis

BIRMINGHAM, England:

Ronald Levy will be aiming for an improved performance when he competes in the semi-finals of the men's 60 metres hurdles at the IAAF World Indoor Championships at the Arena Birmingham this morning (Ja Time).

Levy, who has the fifth fastest time in the world this year, advanced to the semi-finals after finishing second in heat three in 7.65 seconds, which was won by Saudi Arabia's Ahmad Kh. A. Al-Molad in 7.63 seconds.

Levy said he was not pleased with his run and is promising a much better effort in the semi-finals.

"It wasn't a good performance from me, but I am happy that I got the job done. I think that I will be a lot more focused in the semi-finals and so you can expect a better race," said Levy, who has a personal best of 7.49 seconds in the event.

"I was just going through the motions, but the semi-finals will be a lot more competitive, and so, I will see how that goes," he said.

Jamaica's female 4x400m relay team will also be aiming to increase the country's medal haul when they compete in the final of the event.

The team of Janieve Russell, Dominique Blake, Tiffany James, and Anastasia Le-Roy won their heat in a season's best 3:32.01.

Meanwhile, their male counterparts didn't face the starter for their heat yesterday. Team manager Michael Frater said the team was left with only three runners after Steven Gayle got injured in the heats of the men's 400m while Jermaine Gayle came down with the flu.

- R.B.