Jamaica's Nickel Ashmeade (left) eases up after winning his heat of the men's 200m on yesterday's third day of the 12th IAAF World Junior Championships in Bydgoszcz, Poland. - Anthony Foster
BYDGOSZCZ, Poland:
Jamaican athletes enter today's fourth day of the 12th IAAF World Junior Championships in search of more medals.
So far, after three days of intense competition, Jamaica have won a gold through Dexter Lee in the men's 100m.
However, today, Ashmeade, who enters the final with the second fastest time, only behind American Curtis Mitchell, who recorded a lifetime best 20.74, is fancied to win gold.
Ashmeade, who won silver and bronze in the 100m and 200m, respectively, at last year's World Youth Championships, clocked 20.83 seconds to win his semi-final.
Failed to advance
"My start was not the best, but I worked hard to get back into the race," Ashmeade explained, while adding, "I am just going out there to do my best in the final."
Ramone McKenzie, the World Youth 200m champion, failed to advance, finishing eighth in semi-final three in 21.60.
McKenzie, who was set back in his preparations due to injury, said: "I think I did my best, but I was just a little race rusty."
In the girls' event, Jura Levy has an uphill task, after entering the final with the slowest qualifying time. However, she is ready for the challenge.
"I am just going in to do my best and to win a medal for my country," she added.
Trisha-Ann Hawthorne, who ran 24.12 in the preliminary, did not start in the semi-finals because of a hamstring.
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