BYDGOSZCZ, Poland — It’s not good news for the other competitors in the men’s 400m hurdles at the IAAF World Under-20 Championships at the Zawiszaw Stadium in Bydgoszcz, Poland, as after easing to a smooth 50.81 seconds clocking in the first round yesterday, defending champion Jaheel Hyde says he will step up the pace in today’s second round.

Hyde, who has the top three times as a junior in the world so far this year, topped by the national junior record 48.81 seconds set at the JAAA National Senior Championships, advanced to the semi-finals with the second fastest time behind South Africa’s Kefilwe Mogawane’s 50.53 seconds personal best clocking.

Timor Barrett is also through to the semi-finals after running a personal best 51.56 seconds as he was second in his first round heat.

Describing his race as technically the best one he has had all year, Hyde told reporters: “I will step a little tomorrow, go hard and then shut it down if I have the race under control and just try to qualify for the final.”

Arguably the best hurdler of his generation with an IAAF World Youth and Youth Olympic 110m hurdles titles under his belt, Hyde added. “I just wanted to come out here and qualify, didn’t matter what time I ran, I just wanted to hurdle properly and get everything correct and I am pleased with that.”

“It’s the first race that I have run this season that has been so technically correct.”

Barrett was also happy with his execution over the 10 obstacles. “I am feeling great, I just wanted to qualify as easy as possible.”

He said his race plan was to “run hard for the first three hurdles and maintain the momentum,” but added that could change for the second round depending on the lane draw.

— Paul Reid