Good Morning From London: Day 2
Saturday, August 5, 2017 | Track and Field
Stipe Zunic's auto qualifier sets stage for Hakim Sani Brown's big night in 100 meters
While your night's sleep was (hopefully not) nearing its final hours, two 2016 Olympians opened the Gators' Saturday morning in fine fashion. And that was
- Croatian shot put record holder Stipe Zunic topped the automatic qualifying mark on his first throw (20.86 meters / 68 feet, 5.25 inches), sending him to Sunday's (Aug. 6) final
- Puerto Rican half-miler Andres Arroyo missed the semifinals by just 0.04 seconds in his first-ever World Championships appearance
Will Sani Brown Make World Championships, Japanese History Tonight?
Not long after Sani Brown won his 100 meters quarterfinal heat, which featured four-time Olympic medalist and two-time world champion Yohan Blake, a reporter in the mixed zone wondered aloud: Who is Hakim Sani Brown?
Thanks to The Mainichi, we have the answer for said reporter. (To be fair, she was far from the only one asking.)
Where'd @Hakimsanib come from before tonight's impressive #London2017 100m prelim?
— Gators T & F and XC (@GatorsTF) August 4, 2017
The Mainichi fills you in:https://t.co/wKWUNeVkBJ
One huge omission from the story is the fact this is not Sani Brown's first trip to the World Championships.
In 2015, Sani Brown, then aged 16 years and 172 days, became the youngest 200 meters competitor in meet history. Five weeks removed from sweeping the 100 and 200 titles at the IAAF World Youth Championships and breaking a meet record held by Usain Bolt (yes, the Usain Bolt), Sani Brown qualified for the semifinals with a runner-up finish in his preliminary heat.
Should Sani Brown make the final this evening, he will usurp Darrell Brown (18 years, 318 days old in 2003) as the youngest 100 meters finalist in World Championships history. No Japanese man has ever made the 100 final either.
Wild stuff for someone barely old enough to vote.
Who / How to Watch Saturday, Aug. 5
- Online Streaming (NBC Sports Gold): 3-5 p.m. [TV Broadcast Feed]
- TV Broadcast: 3-5 p.m. (NBC)
- Tape Delay Re-Broadcasts (Olympic Channel): 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. (Morning Session) / 8-10 p.m. (Evening Session)
- Live Results
- Men's 100 meters semifinals [2:05 p.m.] / final [4:45 p.m.] – Hakim Sani Brown (Class of 2017), Japan
Quote of the Day (additional quotes at end of blog)
"(Novlene) is an inspiration to me. When you see the things she has been through and how she's able to fight, come back, and just stay strong … she always motivates me to do my best. Even this morning, she texted me, Kimmy, go out there and do your best. For her to wake up that early and text me, it's just really appreciated. All of Jamaica loves Novlene." –Jamaican triple jumper Kimberly Williams on Novlene Williams-Mills being named team captain Thursday (Aug. 3)
.@usainbolt and @williams_mills have been named team captains for Jamaica's #London2017 World Championship team
— Jamaica Gleaner (@JamaicaGleaner) August 3, 2017
Photo of the Day
Social Media Roundup
After making #London2017 finals, #WeChomp ???? pic.twitter.com/C09Dg7WkRM
— Gators T & F and XC (@GatorsTF) August 5, 2017
At 18, @Hakimsanib will be the youngest man in the 100m semi finals#IAAFWorlds pic.twitter.com/rhu2qM5rdW
— IAAF (@iaaforg) August 5, 2017
Car full and we are off to the airport. See you next year Spain ????. You have won my heart ?? #MTCrising MAD??LDN #London2017 pic.twitter.com/pAX6q1JCC6
— Genevieve LaCaze (@GenGen_LaCaze) August 5, 2017
The target for @Taylored2jump at #London2017?
— CNN Sport (@cnnsport) August 4, 2017
??+ a hop, skip and a jump of 18.30m... pic.twitter.com/TtcZJUykOV
CT with a shoutout to @Hakimsanib ?? https://t.co/g24oT9slTv
— Gators T & F and XC (@GatorsTF) August 5, 2017
Author's Entry: A Lap 'Round London Stadium
Having arrived for work three hours early, this writer fancied a walk 'round the stadium. Gates opened shortly after this decision was made, and the lines were long. We're talking premier rock concert long.
Fans are lined up all the way past the Aquatic Center.
— Gators T & F and XC (@GatorsTF) August 4, 2017
"It's a long one, iddn't." --stadium security guard#London2017 pic.twitter.com/qxnSQA3RPh
Folks on hand for Friday's session ranged from avid track and field fans, to Brits who figured it would be a fun night out. The vast majority were on hand to watch Great Britain's Mo Farah, one of the greatest distance runners in history, chase his sixth world title. (Spoiler: he won it, and the British faithful rattled eardrums for the final mile.)
Having set the stage, time for the important stuff: food.
There is truly something for everyone here. American Barbecue. Chinese. Pasties (pronounced pace-tees). Toasties—Americans know these as grilled cheese sandwiches. Candies galore. Donuts and coffee. Your traditional items (i.e. – hot dogs, hamburgers, pizza). And it wouldn't be Britain without fish and chips.
There's something for everyone at #London2017 pic.twitter.com/IHfOFi5jyX
— Zach Dirlam (@ZachDirlam) August 4, 2017
Indulged during a lap around the #London2017 stadium.
— Zach Dirlam (@ZachDirlam) August 4, 2017
And yes, photo three is a Bacon Roll, which is EXACTLY as glorious as you think it is pic.twitter.com/0fz77i45GL
I sampled three items—all my stomach would allow—and washed it down with a stellar cup of Earl Grey tea (again, when in Britain).
First, the Tower Bacon Cheeseburger, a juicy beef patty topped with white cheddar cheese, perfectly-seasoned British bacon, and a pair of bite-size onion rings. Next came the greatest of all, a simple dish that remains peerless: the bacon roll. Three slices of thick bacon sandwiched between a roll. It's a thing of beauty. Finally came a dessert waffle, which was an error in judgement.
Sooooo, when are we adding this to American athletic events? pic.twitter.com/6jzcrO3QEX
— Zach Dirlam (@ZachDirlam) August 4, 2017
Why yes, yes I would pic.twitter.com/uarJa53Bri
— Zach Dirlam (@ZachDirlam) August 4, 2017
Guess I'll have to take another lap tomorrow.
Additional Quotes
Stipe Zunic following his automatic qualifier:
— Gators T & F and XC (@GatorsTF) August 5, 2017
"One and done!" And a shoutout to Coach Lemke#GatorsAlways pic.twitter.com/GWgcqHfpIy
.@dafneschippers is excited for @Hakimsanib #London2017 100m semifinals race tonight ?? pic.twitter.com/XJaqw7PmWH
— Gators T & F and XC (@GatorsTF) August 5, 2017
.@SpeedyArroyo didn't make the 800m semifinals, but that won't detract from his #London2017 experience#GatorsAlways pic.twitter.com/2bELqWb7P1
— Gators T & F and XC (@GatorsTF) August 5, 2017
Players Mentioned
