TT in 4x100 m Pan Am final

TRINIDAD and Tobago’s men’s 4x100-metres relay team of Niconnor Alexander, Marc Burns, Ato Boldon and Darrel Brown won their semi-final race yesterday, and will bid for Trinidad and Tobago’s second medal at the 14th Pan American Games in Santo Domingo, Dominican Repub-lic today. In yesterday’s semi, the TT relay quartet were in third spot when Boldon handed the baton to rising sprint star Brown for the final leg. And, in a quick burst of speed, Brown overtook his Jamaican and Brazilian challengers to cross the finish line in 38.97 seconds, with Jamaica 39.02 and Brazil 39.10 following. Trinidad and Tobago have a lone bronze medal at the Games so far, courtesy Candice Scott in the women’s hammer throw earned on Wednesday. American-based sprinter Julieon Raeburn, competing in lane two, finished sixth in last night’s 200 m final in 20.93 seconds.

Another main TT medal hope, heavyweight boxer Kerston Manswell, will begin his quest for gold when he faces Cuban pugilist Tomas Orozco in his preliminary round bout at 9 pm. On Wednesday night, quartermilers Damian Barry and Adia McKinnon failed to qualify for yesterday’s finals, as both finished “down the pack” in their semis. Robert Auerbatch ended his first day on the firing range, in the men’s skeet event, in 20th position with rounds of 22, 24 and 22. According to chef-de-mission Brian Lewis, the 15-year-old Auerbatch was impressive in his first national outing, and many of his 27 rivals have identified him as “one for the future.” Auerbatch will complete his final two rounds today. But, the injury bug struck the Trinidad and Tobago camp yesterday when top badminton player Sabrina Cassie suffered knee pain so severe — during her training session — that she was forced to opt out of the Games.