Athletes competing at World Masters Athletics Championships in Sweden 

By BRENT STUBBS

Chief Sports Editor

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

Timothy Munnings and Miriam Byfield are both now into the semifinals of the men and women 200 metres at the World Masters Athletics Championships.

The duo, who are a part of a three-member team representing The Bahamas, competed in their respective heats of the event yesterday at the Slottsskogsvallen, Björlandavallen & Ullevi in Gothenburg, Sweden.

Munnings, competing in the first of his two events at the week-long competition for athletes over the age of 35 years, was entered in the men’s 50.

He won his heat in 24.81 for the third overall time in the preliminaries. The fastest qualifying time was 24.62 by Pablo Artero of Spain in heat four. Darren Scott of Great Britain had the second fastest in 24.70 in heat four.

“The weather was not the best because it was a bit chilly along with some torrential rain just as my race was to begin,” Munnings said. “But the performance was still a good one.” 

Munnings will be back for the semifinals today. 

“I know the competition will definitely be a lot stiffer,” Munnings said. “I have a relatively slow start, but a strong finish so I will need to put it all together.

“I am healthy and feeling comfortable to meet the challenge ahead of me to make the final.”

Byfield is also looking to make it to her second straight final in the ladies’ 35-plus division. On Sunday, she advanced out of the preliminaries of the 200m with a second-place finish in her heat in 26.74 as she trailed American Odeika Giscombe, who won in 25.23.

The ladies’ semifinals is also set for today. 

Byfield got into the final of the 100m on Thursday where she was seventh in 12.70. Paula Suchowiecka of Canada won the gold in a championship record of 11.86, followed by Sara Wiss of Sweden with the silver in 12.22 and Odeka Giscombe of the USA with the bronze in 12.25.

Byfield came into the final with the seventh best time overall in 12.77 after she placed fourth in the first of two heats in the semifinals. That came after she posted the tenth fastest qualifying time of 13.07 coming out of the preliminaries with a second place in the first of four heats on Wednesday.

After the 200m Mullings will also compete in the heats of the 400m, starting on Thursday. Also on Thursday, Mike Armbrister, the other member of the team, will also compete in the preliminaries of the men’s 60-plus 400m.

It’s the only event for Armbrister, who heads the delegation to the championships.