Three things to look out for on your second day in Lima | News | Lima 24

Action at the World Athletics Championships U20, Lima 24in which 1,700 athletes from more than 130 teams participate, will continue on Wednesday (28th).

Here are three things to look out for at the Estadio Atletico de la Videna.

100m spotlight

The second day of competition in Lima will see five finals, concluding the evening session with epic back-to-back finals in the women’s and men’s 100m.

In the women’s race, a tough battle is expected between Adaejah Hodge from the British Virgin Islands and Alana Reid from Jamaica. Both athletes showed confidence and self-assurance in the heats, with Hodge leading all qualifiers (11.45) and Reid just behind (11.46).

Hodge and Reid bring international experience, which could boost their title hopes. Britain’s Nia Wedderburn-Goodison was the only other athlete in the heats to run under 11.50, with 11.47; she will be looking to challenge for a place on the podium.

South African men’s favourite Bradley Nkoana will be looking to defend his title as the fastest man in the field. With a personal best of 10.03 and a silver medal in the 4x100m at the Paris Olympics, he is undoubtedly the athlete to beat. Nkoana topped the qualifying heats with his time of 10.27.

Japan’s Naoki Nishioka also ran 10.27, looking strong and composed in the first round. Nkoana’s compatriot Bayanda Walaza hopes to join him on the podium after running 10.28 in the heats. The pre-race headliners He Jinxian from China, Gary Card from Jamaica and Puripol Boonson from Thailand could also be in the running.

Preview of the Sprint Events WU20 Lima 24

Heroes of the heptathlon

Keep an eye on the incredible athletes in the women’s heptathlon who will complete their seven disciplines over two days of competition.

There was drama right from the start when podium favorite Sarolta Kriszt from Hungary was disqualified in the first competition after a fall in the 100-meter hurdles.

Croatia’s Jana Koscak remains the favorite and, if she maintains her form in the remaining events, could be on her way to an impressive overall score.

Behind Koscak’s dominance, Adela Tkacova from the Czech Republic, Lucia Acklin from Switzerland and Alina Chistyakova from Kazakhstan will probably also fight for the medal ranks.

Preview of the all-around events WU20 Lima 24

Long jump redemption

An unusual qualifying round in the women’s long jump will make for an interesting and perhaps unexpected final. No athlete reached the automatic qualifying mark of 6.40m, which was surprising given the personal bests of the participating jumpers. Entry into the final was determined by the descending order of first round performances.

Spain’s Laura Martinez led all qualifiers with her season’s best of 6.36m (the only season’s best in the field) and will be hoping to carry that form into the final. Her personal best of 6.46m was achieved in 2023.

Favorites Prestina Oluchi Ochonogor (6.28 m) of Nigeria and Sophia Beckmon of the USA (6.16 m) also advanced, but will be looking to redeem themselves in the final. They both enter the competition with strong personal bests of 6.79 m and 6.86 m, respectively, which they both set in 2024.

Preview of the WU20 Lima 24 jumping competitions