BYDGOSZCZ, Poland — After watching the 100m from the sidelines the last two days of the championships, Nigel Ellis is expected to make his first appearance at the IAAF World U-20 Championships when he runs the first two rounds of the men’s 200m at the at Zawiszaw Stadium in Bydgoszcz, Poland, here today.

Ellis, who is ranked in the top five in the world in both the sprints, false-started in the 100m at the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) National Junior Championhips a month ago and was left out of the event here.

Today he is expected to take out his frustrations on the track in the first two rounds of the half-lap race, the first round being set to get underway at 11:30 am (4:30 am Jamaica time), with the semi-finals slated for 6:30 pm (11:30 am Jamaica time).

Hujaye Cornwall, who finished third at the National Junior Championships but replaced the injured Akeem Bloomfield, is the other Jamaican who will contest the event.

Also today, Jaheel Hyde will start the defence of his 400m hurdles title, Jessica Noble will contest the women’s long jump, while Devia Brown will take her place in history as the first Jamaican woman in an IAAF under-20 discus throw final.

American Michael Norman and South Africa’s Clarence Munyai are the only athletes in the men’s 200m field ranked higher than Ellis, who will come into the day with a 20.40 seconds personal best.

Hyde, who set a new national junior record of 48.81 seconds, is the overwhelming favourite here and could match two-time 100m champion Dexter Lee in defending his title and creating IAAF age-group history.

The University of the West Indies, Mona student has the top three times in the world this year and barring a major setback should be crowned back-to-back champion tomorrow afternoon here.

Timor Barrett is the other Jamaican who will contest the event and will run in the first heat.

Devia Brown threw a lifetime best of 49.56m in the first round of the women’s discus throw on Tuesday’s opening day and will line up in the medal round this afternoon.

Jessica Noble will contest the qualifying round of the women’s long jump, where it will take 6.25m to automatically qualify for the finals.

— Paul Reid