GOLD COAST, Australia — Kyron McMaster of the British Virgin Islands won the men’s 400-meter hurdles in the 21st Commonwealth Games with the opening round’s fastest time and will advance to Thursday’s finals.
The long-striding McMaster powered to victory from lane No. 8 in his heat in 48.78 seconds, the only runner under the 49-second mark in the two heats.
Apart from McMaster, Andre Clarke of Jamaica placed second and also qualified for the final with a personal best time of 49.10 seconds.
Dharun Ayyasamy of India exited the men’s 400-meter hurdles competition after finishing fifth in Heat 1 on Tuesday. Dharun registered 49.85 seconds to finish fifth among seven runners.
The morning after Jamaica’s title drought in the Commonwealth Games women’s 100 meters was extended for at least another four years, Olympic dual sprint champion Elaine Thompson began her campaign on the Gold Coast in the heats of the 200 meters.
Thompson won the 100-200 double for Jamaica at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro but is only competing in the 200 here. She won her heat in 23.09 seconds.