It was a disappointing first day of competition for Jamaica in track and field at the IPC Athletics World Championships in Lyon, France, yesterday.

Tanto ‘The Emperor’ Campbell went into the thrower’s ring at 5:25 pm (French time) for the first round with quiet confidence knowing that he had a job to do in the discus F54-56 class.

He hurled a personal best of 41.71m and went into the final round in third position, but was unable to better his personal best and maintain his bronze medal position. Campbell, though performing at his best at the last Paralympics in London, and now in Lyon, has missed out on coveted medals, which would have been in his cabinet had it not been for the mergers of classes of persons with lesser disability over the last three years, to which different competition rules apply.

Shane Hudson and David Bascoe took to the 200m T45/46/47 semi-finals under a late Lyon sun, which was in full flight at 6:00 pm (French time) with no suggestion of its setting.

Brascoe was the first in lane three in semi-final one. His run was competent and he bettered his personal best by doing 23.25 seconds, but could only manage fifth, which did not allow him to transition.

Hudson, running out of lane two, did not execute the bend as efficiently as he normally does and lost ground in the straight to finish fifth in 23.19 seconds, thereby loosing a berth in the final.

Both athletes will now turn their sights to the T45/46/47 400m later in the week where their performances should be stronger.

Meanwhile, Alphanso ‘The Ambassador’ Cunningham will start his campaign today in the F51/52/53 men’s discus at 9:45 am in Lyon (2:45 am Jamaica time).

He carries on his capable shoulder the hopes of a nation which he continues to inspire with his golden performances. Training has been going well according to head coach Neville Sinclair: “Alphanso is prepared. He is conditioned and Jamaica will be pleased.”

The discus event will be the first of two events for Cunningham, who will be competing in his signal event the F51/52/53 men’s javelin later this week. In London last year, he reigned supremely and won the gold in this event.

“I will do my best for my country,” Cunningham quietly said, playing down, in characteristic style, the enormity of his credentials in sport.

Jamaica’s Tanto Campbell about to release the discus during the final of the F54-56 class at the IPC Athletics World Championships at the Stade du Rhune in Venissieux, Lyon, France, yesterday. Campbell eventually finished in fourth place.

(PHOTOS: LIONEL ROOKWOOD)

Davis Bascoe (right) of Jamaica approaches the finish line in the men’s 200m T45/46/47 semi-finals next to an opponent at the IPC Athletics World Championships at the Stade du Rhune in Venissieux, Lyon, France, yesterday.