The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunmedia.net

THE Bahamian quarter-milers are now taking the international circuit by storm.

While everybody is still raving about the stunning performance of rookie Steven Gardiner, veteran Chris ‘Fireman’ Brown is proving that he is still the man to beat and national champion Demetrius Pinder is hoping to come back to be a contender as well.

On Sunday, Pinder ran the 400 metres at the IAAF World Challenge Meet in Rabat, Morocco, where he placed third in a time of 46.16 seconds, well off his season’s best of 45.73 he did in Clermont, Florida on May 16. The time wasn’t that fast, but neither was Grenada’s Kirani James, who stopped the clock in 45.15 for the win, well off his world-leading time of 43.95 that he posted in Eugene, Oregon, on May 30. Trinidad & Tobago’s Lalonde Gordon got second in 46.02.

In the same meet, Donald Thomas was fifth in the men’s high jump with a leap of 2.24 metres or 7-feet, 4 1/2-inches, the same height as Bohdan Bondarenko of the Ukraine, who got fourth and Adonios Mastoras of Greece for sixth place. Russian’s Ivan Ukhov won with a mark of 2.28m (7-5 3/4).

The day before at the New York Diamond League in New York City, Brown picked up a second place finish in his signature event in the men’s 400m in 44.74. Brown is still ranked at No.8 in the world with 44.54 in Eugene, Oregon on May 30. Wayde van Niekerk of the Republic of South Africa crossed the finish line in 44.24 for the win and now the third fastest time in the world.

“Based on the travel I had to go through, I’m just thankful to God for blessing me with the talent to come out in the top three,” Brown said. “I’m definitely pleased and satisfied. I can’t really be in sad place right now. There are eight lanes out there and to be able to get one of them is a blessing. So I’m very pleased with the way I’m performing right now.”

Also in New York, Shaunae Miller ran 50.66 for second place as well. She was off her season’s best of 50.17 she did in Gainesville, Florida on April 24. American Francena McCorory lowered the meet record in winning in 49.86 for the fastest time in the world this year.

And national record holder Jeffery Gibson came in third in the men’s 400m hurdles in a season’s best of 48.78. Javier Culson of Puerto Rico took the tape in 48.48 and LJ van Zyl of the Republic of South Africa came in ahead of Gibson in 48.78 for second.

Gardiner, the 19-year-old boy wonder, is making headlines as he glide through his professional debut.

Now back in the United States where he is based in Athens, Georgia where is coached by George Cleare at the University of Georgia, is coming of a sensational victory at the IAAF Diamond League in Oslo, Norway in a personal best of 44.64 to improve on his previous mark of 44.98, said he’s pleased with his efforts.

“Overall I thought that the performance was great. I competed against some of the world’s most celebrated talents,” he told The Tribune. “Heading into the race, I knew I’d be up against (Isaac) Makwala of Botswana and Great Britain’s (Matthew) Hudson-Smith and (Martyn) Rooney. I wasn’t afraid though.

“In the end, my performance in Oslo was a culmination of hard work, preparation and utilizing my God-given talent. I’ve managed to clock better times with every competition this season and my prayer is to continue to improve. I did everything that I was supposed to do in Oslo and the outcome was gaining the victory.”

When asked if his performance was expected, Gardiner said before he left Georgia for Oslo, coach Cleare gave him a little reminder.

“’Gardiner you’re in 44 shape,’ and with that in mind, I hit the track knowing that I had to give it a 44 performance,” Cleare said. “I knew I would run my best, but I had no idea I would have clocked a personal best of 44.64 after just clocking one (44.98) in Florida a week prior. But that is one of the joys of track and field.

“You have the opportunity to surprise yourself sometimes. The opportunity to compete at the Diamond League is an exclusive one. It was an awesome experience and I’m very proud about it.”

Not only did he pocket $10,000 for his effort, but Gardiner also moved up to fourth place on the all-Bahamian performance list, something that he is equally proud of.

“It feels great to rank 4th best right now,” said Gardiner, who trails Brown (44.40 national record), Avard Moncur (44.45) and Andretti Bin (44.62). “There has been many great Bahamian 400m runners over the years and we all celebrate their achievements. So for me to have achieved 4th best at 19 years old is an honor and it would be nice to one day stand at the number one spot.”

That could come sometime this year, depending on what happens at the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations’ National Open Track and Field Championships, June 26-27 at the Thomas A. Robinson Track and Field Stadium or in August at the IAAF World Championships in Beijing, China.

“Right now I’m looking forward to performing extremely well so that I can make the World Championships team to represent the Bahamas in the 400m race,” Gardiner said. “My extended goal, once making the team is to get to the 400m finals and then go from there.”

And along the way, he know that he will have to prepare for the ultimate showdown with Brown, whom he’s given a great deal of respect too.

“Chris Brown has been in the game for quite some time now and he’s been running great this season,” Gardiner said. “I respect and congratulate him on his achievements.”

But at the same time, Gardiner said he hope to start working on his own legacy.

As for Brown, the ultimate showdown may not come until Beijing as he is still negotiating with his management and coach bout whether he will contest the 400m or he will drop down to the 200m when he come home for the Nationals. He noted that while he will compete, running thye 400m is not a priority for him.

“For what he’s doing, I think it’s great,” Brown said of Gardiner. “We’re so deep in our quarter-miler, so it’s always good when we see these guys progress. I welcome the challenge and at some point, I guess we will get the opportunity to compete against each other.

“But my career extend further than that. You only get bragging rights at the National Championships, but I want to focus on getting on the podium at the World Championships. Steven is performing very well and I look forward to running with me.”