OREGON, United States – Tianna Springer created history over the weekend when she secured a bronze medal in the women’s 400 metres at the World Under-20 Championships to capture Guyana’s first medal at the event in 14 years.
Springer, who entered the final as one of the favourites after winning both her heat and semi-final races, clocked 51.76 seconds to finish behind eventual winner Anastazja Kuś of Poland, who sped to victory in a national Under-20 record of 51.06 seconds, while American Ataja Stephanie-Vazquez took silver in 51.36 seconds.
It is Guyana’s first medal at the championships since Kadecia Baird claimed silver in Barcelona, Spain, in 2012.
Guyana’s hopes of winning another medal faded when Malachi Austin finished sixth in the men’s 400 metres in a time of 46.03 seconds.
That race was won by America’s Jayden Deleon in a championship record time of 44.47 seconds, with his countryman Quincy Wilson second in a season’s best time of 44.62. Leendert Koekemoer captured the bronze medal in 44.96.
Zion Davis of the Bahamas was fifth in 46.00 seconds.
Despite not qualifying for the final of the women’s 800 metres, 15-year-old Olivia Solomon set another national U20 record in the event, finishing in 2:06.15 to finish fifth in her semi-final.
CMC
