By Symone Goss, World-Track
BERLIN — Ryan Brathwaite fired a sound warning to his rivals in the 110 metres hurdles when he sizzled to a Barbadian national record of 13.18 seconds to win his semi-finals at the World Championships in Berlin.
But all eyes were on world record holder Dayron Robles of Cuba in the last semis and it ended in disaster for the Olympic champion, who after three flights of hurdles had to pull out because of a leg injury.
The Cuban was unsure about his participation in the round after picking the in during the heats on Wednesday, but after warming up he said he felt ok and was ready to give it a go.
Losing Robles, who was the big favourite to take gold in the event was a sad moment, but Great Britain’s William Sharman took full advantage when running 13.40secs for first in the heat to beat Jamaica’s Maurice Wignall (13.43).
But it was Brathwaite who looked most impressive as he blasted from the blocks and held his lead throughout the entire race to post the fastest time of the semis.
American Terrence Trammell won the opening heat in 13.24sec over Czech’s Petr Svoboda (13.33).
Meanwhile, Dwight Thomas of Jamaica who clocked 13.37 to finish second to Brathwaite will join countryman Wignall in the final, as the Jamaican productive campaign at the worlds continued.
