Austin, Springer, Easton into World U20 semi-finals

Mlaachi Austin and Tianna Springer kept the Golden Arrowhead flying high at the ongoing World Athletics Under-20 Championships in Oregon, US; both booked semi-final spots in their respective 400M events.
Tianna Springer stormed into the semi-finals with a win in heat four of the first round. Springer looked comfortable, stopping the clock at 52.39s to become the second-fastest qualifier overall. She was followed in heat four by Slovakia’s Masa Medjimurec in 53.72s, Germany’s Eni Kuske in 53.97s, and Nigeria’s Jecinta Lawrence in a similar 53.97s, all of whom qualified for the semi-finals.
Malachi Austin was equally as dominant, clocking 46.48s for first place in heat four and an automatic qualification spot in the semi-final. Austin was trailed by South Africa’s Kryn Romijn, who crossed the line in 46.93s, and Botswana’s Junior Phatsima in 47.05s; both qualifying for the semis.
In heat five, Tishawn Easton’s new personal best time also punched him a ticket to the semi-finals in what was a more competitive heat. Easton crossed the line in 46.34s for fourth place, to become one of the fastest non-automatic qualifiers.
The US’s Jayden Deleon took the top spot in the heat in 45.63s, India’s Mohammed Ashfaq was second in 45.81, while Australia’s Chase Grant took third in 46.27s.
The 400m semi-final was scheduled for late Thursday night.