Zunic broke the Croatian record earlier this year and is chasing a top-8 finish at World Championships.
Zunic Qualifies for Final, Sani Brown Stumbles at World Championships
Saturday, August 5, 2017 | Track and Field
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Stipe Zunic is the first Croatian and Gator in history to make the World Championships shot put final
By: Zach Dirlam
LONDON – Croatian shot put record holder Stipe Zunic qualified for Sunday's (Aug. 6) final, while incoming freshman Hakim Sani Brown stumbled early and never recovered in his 100 meters semifinal Saturday (Aug. 5) night at the IAAF World Championships.
Zunic eclipsed the automatic qualifying mark on his opening throw, recording a toss of 20.86 meters (68 feet, 5.25 inches). His throw ranked seventh overall in the qualifying round.
Sani Brown's bid to become the youngest man in history to make the World Championships 100 meters final ended just steps into his race. The 18-year-old's time of 10.28 seconds ranked 19th overall. The Japanese 100 and 200 meters champion will get a chance at redemption when he begins competition in the latter event Monday.
Puerto Rican half-miler Andres Arroyofinished fourth in his preliminary heat and missed the semifinals by 0.04 seconds.
While Zunic is the only Gator competing in a final Sunday, it will be one of the most active days for the 15 Gators at World Championships. The 400 hurdles trio of Kerron Clement, the reigning Olympic gold medalist, Eric Futch, the 2017 American champion, and TJ Holmesrun their preliminaries at 6:05 a.m. ET.
Jamaican team captain and six-time World Championships medalist Novlene Williams Mills (400 meters) and U.S. Virgin Islander Eddie Lovett (110 hurdles) also compete in preliminary action Sunday morning.
Sunday's broadcast schedule, as well as a complete table of the Gators' results and competition schedule are below.
Quote of the Day
"I'm really honored to compete here and compete with Yohan (Blake) and the other guys. I'm still 18. Christian Coleman is still 21. We're both coming up now. The new age is coming up. I hope I can progress more and be at the top level at 2019 (World Championships) and 2020 Tokyo Olympics. I hope to best the best and maybe break the world record." –Hakim Sani Brown on competing on the world stage, and the future of the 100 with Usain Bolt's retirement after these World Championships
Photo of the Day
Mikayla Barber wasn't in London, but she was one of six Gators to earn a degree Saturday.
Additional Quotes
"Really disappointed. I got out really good at the start, but my leg didn't come up, so I turned and almost fell down. I couldn't keep the frequency because I almost fell down. Really disappointed, but it happens. I think I can progress from this race, look at the biomechanics and everything. I hope I can do well (in the 100) at the next World Championships. I hope I can do well in the 200. There's one day off, so I can refresh my body and make the final in the 200." –Hakim Sani Brown following his 19th-place finish in the 100 meters semifinals
"One and done. As (associate head coach Steve) Lemke would say, go hard, and first throw go big. I'm really proud of myself. The crowd is amazing, and the competition is good. The season has been great. I'll do my best to throw a PR an go big (in the final)." –Stipe Zunic on his first-throw qualification for the shot put final
"Definitely one I'll remember. Full of blessings. It's a great experience so far. (My favorite part of London) has been the history, and being around some of the great athletes. That's definitely something I'll take back. (After the meet) I'll talk with Coach Holloway for what we're going to do next. He knows best." –Andres Arroyo on his first World Championships experience, what he's enjoyed about London, and his plans following the meet
IAAF WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS MEET INFORMATION (all times Eastern)
Eddie Lovett, U.S. Virgin Islands (2011-14) – Men's 110-meter Hurdles (prelims)
3:10 p.m.
Lovett, U.S. Virgin Islands (2011-14) – Men's 110-meter Hurdles (semifinals)
3:35 p.m.
Stipe Zunic, Croatia (2011-15) – Men's Shot Put
Monday, August 7 (unless denoted otherwise all events are finals)
Time
Gators, Country (Years at UF) – Event
1:30 p.m.
Hakim Sani Brown, Japan (Class of 2017) – Men's 200 meters (prelims)
1:35 p.m.
Will Claye, United States (2010-11); Christian Taylor, United States (2009-11) – Men's Triple Jump (qualifying)
3:20 p.m.
Kerron Clement, United States (2004-05); Eric Futch, United States (2014-17); TJ Holmes, United States (2015-17) – Men's 400-meter Hurdles (semifinals)
