US’ Patterson should win men’s 400m

WHEN the preliminary round of the men's 400 metres gets under way on September 14, the second day of competition at the World Championships in Tokyo, it will be a historic moment for Jamaica. For the first time, the country will have four representatives in the event. They are led by defending champion Antonio Watson, who pulled off a surprise win in Budapest, Hungary, two years ago.

Watson's victory was Jamaica's second gold in the event at a World Championships, following Bertland Cameron's triumph at the inaugural meet in Helsinki in 1983.

Despite the strong numbers, it could be a struggle for the Jamaicans to even get out of the first round. Performances all season have been below par.

Only one athlete, Bovel McPherson, has achieved the automatic qualifying mark of 44.85. He clocked a personal best 44.78 in May in Texas, but since then has not broken the 45-second barrier.

Since his surprise win in Budapest, Watson has been plagued by injuries and has hardly competed. His best effort this season came two weeks ago in Belgium, where he ran 44.89.

That time ranks him joint 49th on the world Top List, alongside national champion Rusheen McDonald. The other Jamaican, Delano Kennedy, goes in with a season-best 44.91.

The event itself looks wide open. Three men have gone under 44 seconds this year. South Africa's Zakithi Nene leads with 43.76, followed by Americans Jacory Patterson with 43.85 and Kahleb McRae at 43.91.

Next is Britain's Matthew Hudson-Smith at 44.10. After silver medals in Budapest and at the last Olympics, he will be hungry to step up to gold.

Also in contention for medals are Muzala Samukonga of Zambia with 44.11, who took bronze at the Paris Olympics, Charles Dobson of Britain with 44.14, Trinidad & Tobago's Jereem Richards, also with 44.14, and Bayapo Ndori of Botswana and Chris Bailey of the United States (US) at 44.15 each. This promises to be a humdinger where any number could strike.

The big story, however, could be Patterson. Just a year ago, he failed to get out of the first round at the US Championships.

Until recently, he was working at a UPS distribution centre in Southern California, packing boxes into the back of trucks while juggling training. After his victory at the Zurich Diamond League, he now looks primed to go all the way in Tokyo.