Kirani James sets a new world record at 400m in Ostrava

A jubilant Kirani James of Grenada after winning the 400m gold at the London 2012 Olympic Games PHOTO/Getty Images

World and Olympic 400 meters champion Kirani James lived up to expectations to win the event at the Golden Spike Meet in Ostrava.

James thrilled a capacity crowd by racing to a new meet record of 44.49 seconds on the track where he was first noticed as a 400 meter prodigy when he competed as a 14 year-old to win silver at the World Youth Championships six years ago.

The Grenadian athlete successfully chased down another outstanding quarter-miler’s achievement – the meet record of 44.70 set by Cuban Alberto Juantorena in 1976.

James, chased hard by South African Wade van Niekerk, was never threatened by the field and made up for the ‘tactical’ error in Eugene, Oregon when he was beaten by American LaShawn Merritt.

“It was good. I felt I had a very good run. I executed my race good,” he said. “I think with the conditions and my performance, I am track to do some great things.”

James will next compete on July 6 in Paris at the Meeting Areva 2013 (Diamond League) which is already billed as “The Revenge Match” as he cross swords with Merritt. -(CMC)