Panama sprinter in world semi finals
PANAMA’S 200 METRES star Alonso Edward advanced easily to the semifinals of the 200 meters after winning his qualifying heat in the world championships taking place in Beijing onTuesday, August 25.
Edward cruised home in 20.11 slowing in the last 25 meters speed knowing he had already secured first place.
Churandy Martina of the Netherlands (20.22) finished second and Christophe Limaitre of France (20.29) finished third to also advance to the semis
Seven qualifying events took place, the first three in each moved to the semifinal and also the three best times of the other participants.
Edward will compete for a ticket to the final in heat number including the American Justin Gatlin, one of the favorites.
The Panamanian came from winning the bronze medal at the last Toronto 2015 Panamerican Games with a time of 19.90 seconds.
Edward, the distance champion in the circuit of the Diamond League 2014, is running to defend that crown this season.
In 2009, at 19 years old, the Panamanian sprinter surprised and took second place in the World Cup in Berlin, being surpassed only by Jamaican Usain Bolt.
In Beijing the two favorites in the 200 meters, Bolt (20.28) and Gatlin (20.19), also qualified easily