KINGSTON, Jamaica — Roshawn Clarke qualified for the final of the men’s 400m hurdles after placing second in his semi-final heat on Wednesday at Stade de France.

Running 48.34 seconds, Clarke’s performance marked back-to-back qualification to a major championships final. He was fourth at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest in 2023, a year after winning the bronze medal at the World Athletics Under-20 Championships. Clarke started well in his heat but had to battle France’s Wilfried Happio over the final three hurdles to secure second place behind American Rai Benjamin, who won with 47.85 seconds.

The news was less favourable for national champion Malik James-King, who clipped the final hurdle and finished in seventh place. Prior to that, James-King, who had shaved more than two seconds off his lifetime best this year, was running in second place and appeared poised to earn a spot in the final. However, he hit the final hurdle and stumbled.

Jaheel Hyde also finished seventh in his heat.

-Paul A Reid