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| File: Reuters |
By Michael Bascombe
FAYETTEVILLE, Arkansas, February 11, 2012 – 2011 World 400m champion Kirani James of Grenada continues to improve on his indoor campaign with another world leading time of 45.19 seconds at the USA Track & Field (USATF) Classic at the University of Arkansas’ Randal Tyson Centre here on Saturday.
It was James’ second victory in as many outings as he prepares himself for a shot at the World Indoor title, twice won by his fellow Grenadian Alleyne Francique.
The Grenadian champion was always considered the favourite in the two-heats timed final on what’s considered one of the fastest indoor tracks in the United States.
Bahamian Demetrius Pinder set the pace with an opening 45.40 seconds to win the first race but the 19 year-old Grenadian lowered that mark as he won the second race in an impressive 45.19, ahead of Americans Calvin Smith, former USA Indoor champion Jamaal Torrence and Olympic bronze medallist David Neville.
Pinder copped the second spot and Smith was third overall in 45.73 seconds.
James will next compete in the XL-Galan Stockholm Indoor Meeting in Sweden on Thursday February 23 before his major indoor challenge at the World Indoors in Istanbul, Turkey, March 9-11.
Earlier, Kurt Felix and Janelle Redhead posted personal marks.
Earlier, Kurt Felix and Janelle Redhead posted personal marks.
Felix of Boise State University won the Men’s Heptathlon in a personal best of 5,771 points after seven events at the Boise State University Team Challenge at the Jackson Track in Nampo, Idaho. His previous best was 5,691 points at the same meet last February.
Felix won the long jump (7.66m), shot put (12.86m) and the high jump (2.14m). He was second in the 60m dash (7.11secs), third in the 60m hurdles (8.51 secs), third in the pole vault (4.45m) and fourth in the 1,000m (2:51.01).
The former Junior Carifta Games’ champion wrapped up his win shortly after World 200m semi-finalist Janelle Redhead ran a personal indoor best in the 200m at the Tyson Invitational at Randal Tyson Track Centre.
Redhead, of Wayland Baptist University, finished sixth in 23.68 seconds to better her previous indoor best of 23.75 seconds clocked at the same facility exactly one year ago.
Also competing was Sherine Wells of Oklahoma University who was 25th overall in 24.32 seconds.
Both athletes also competed in the women’s 60 metres dash on Friday with Wells clocking 7.48secs in 14th position and Redhead, two places behind, in 7.59secs.
Over at the Gilliam Indoor Track Stadium in College Point, Texas, Kanika Beckles was 23rd overall in the 200m in 25.36 seconds.
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