Ming Tips

Doha, Qatar:

Friday’s predictions

Men’s Long Jump:

Tajay Gayle will need only one jump today to reach the automatic mark of 8:15m to qualify for tomorrow’s final. The former Papine High School student has gone over the required mark more than seven times this season and some adjustments by his coach in the past three weeks may improve his technique.

Women’s 800m:

After a difficult transition from her illustrious junior career, Natoya Goule has finally reached the stage where she can comfortably ease through the first round of the women’s 800 and win her heat easily today.

Men’s Triple Jump:

All season, Christian Taylor and his schoolmate Will Claye have been in a tussle for the title of who is the best triple jumper in the world. Claye has the longest jump this season with 18.14m and is in dire need to win a World title after finishing second to Taylor on many occasions. Jumping from flight one, Claye will throw down the gauntlet with an 18m jump to qualify for Sunday’s final.

Men’s 400m hurdles:

The men’s 400m hurdles has been heralded as one of the races to watch at these Championships after three athletes broke the 47-second barrier over the past two seasons. With this in mind, athletes will be running at their best in the preliminary round. Therefore, several athletes will break the 47 seconds barrier today, a feat rarely happens in the heat of this event.

Saturday’s predictions

- Gayle will win Jamaica’s first medal of these Championships after improving his personal best to over 8.40m.

- Yohan Blake and Tyquendo Tracey will advance to final of the men’s 100m final, but for the first time since 2005, Jamaica will not win a medal in the event.

- Traves Smikle and Fedrick Dacres will advance to the final of the men’s Discus Throw. After struggling to make the entry standard, Chad Wright will just miss out on making the final.

- Elaine Thompson and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, without breaking a sweat, will win their respective heats.

- Natoya Goule’s quality will enable her to win Saturday’s semi-final, though not comfortably.