TOKYO, Japan — Jamaica’s Bryan Levell threw down the gauntlet after he ran a stunning 19.84 seconds (-0.1m/s) to lead the qualifying for the semi-final of the men’s 200m on day five of the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan, Wednesday morning.

The 21-year-old, who is competing in his first major championships, was one of three Jamaicans who made safe progress to the semi-finals as Adrian Kerr— 20.13 seconds and Christopher Taylor, who lowered his personal best to 20.26 seconds (0.1m/s), are also through.

Levell got off to a fast start and was well ahead of the field by the time they got to the straight and eased down noticeably to clock his second-best wind-legal time ever.

Kerr was third in his heat behind Zimbabwe’s Tapiwanashe— 19.91 seconds and American Courtney Lindsay— 19.95 seconds.

Taylor lowered his previous personal best from 20.28 seconds set in June, finishing behind American Noah Lyles— 19.99 seconds with Great Britain’s Zharnel Hughes second in 20.07 seconds.

Former Olympic champion Andre De Grasse was fourth in 20.30 seconds.

— Paul A Reid

Adrian Kerr participates in the 200 metre heats at the World Championships in Tokyo, Japan (Photo: Garfield Robinson)

Christopher Taylor participates in the 200 metre heats at the World Championships in Tokyo, Japan (Photo: Garfield Robinson)