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Last Updated: Feb 13, 2017 - 1:45:37 AM |
Shaunae Miller in Poland. Photo: Kermit Taylor / Bahamas Athletics
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SOPOT, Poland: Shaunae Miller had to work extra hard to get through her women's 400 metres semifinal at the IAAF World Indoor Championships. She had to even wait a little longer than expected to see whether or not she got into the final.
Just by the skin of her teeth, she was was listed with the third and final spot by one tenth of a second over Russia's Kseniya Ryzhova. While Miller was timed in 51.63 seconds, Ryzhova did 51.64 for fourth. The IAAF World Youth and Junior champion can now relax a bit as she prepare for Friday's final at 1:40 pm in the Ergo Arena.
"I'm just proud that I got in," said Miller after she reviewed her performance in the race. "The goal was to get out early and finish on top so I could get a good lane for the final and go to work from there."
Running out of lane six, Miller felt she was used as a rabbit before she managed to turn things around on the final lap 50 of the two lap race around the 200m track.
After completing the first lap in second behind Ryzhova, she made the turn on the inside in second place, but was caught by American Francena McCorory and Jamaican Kaliesa Spencer.
After dropping her to fourth coming off the final turn, Miller was able to storm back into the pack and as they headed for the finish line, she never gave up as Ryzhova faded. McCorory and Spencer were both able to pull her through to the tape as she managed to edge Ryzhova.
"I'm still pretty excited that I got in," she said. "I'm still young and really happy to be in the final."
Miller, who will celebrate her 20th birthday on Monday, will run out of lane one in the final. American Joanna Atkins is in two, hometown girl Justyna Swiety is in lane three, Spencer in four, McCorory in five and Jamaican Patricia Hall in six.
The gold medalist will collect $40,000, while silver gets $20,000 and bronze takes home $10,000. The other three spots will get $8,000, $6,000 and $4,000 respectively.
SOURCE
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