by Larry EderIn a 400 meters that was an all out battle, Kirani James, all of 18 years old, ran his personal best and won the gold medal, catching LaShawn Merritt, the 2009 World Champion, and 2008 Olympic champion, with less than ten meters to go, running 44.60!
Kirani James, 2011 WC 400 meters, gold medalist, photo by PhotoRun.net
LaShawn Merritt, who ran three 44 second quarters in three days, ran out of gas with about thirty meters to go, fought to the finish and ran 44.63, nearly falling at the finish.
In third, Belgian Kevin Borlee ran 44.90 to take the bronze over Jermaine Gonzales of Jamaica, who ran 44.99.
In fifth place, Jonathan Borlee, Kevin Borlee’s brother, ran 45.07. And in sixth place, Rondel Barthlemew, also of Grenada, like our winner, ran 45.45.
The young man from Grenada gave his country its first medal, and showed that he will be a power in the 400 meters for some time to come! Brilliant race!
