Athletics - USA-based Ned Azemia sets Seychelles’ 400m indoor record |30 January 2018

Based in the United States of America with the Western Texas College, Ned Azemia has set a new 400m indoor record.

Competing in the Texas Tech Red & Black Open competition on Friday January 26, Azemia stopped the clock at 49.26 seconds (23.12 seconds in the first 200m and 26.14 seconds in the second) for second place in the first of the nine heats behind Daniel Gyasi of West Texas A&M in 48.06 seconds.

The first year freshman was ranked third overall out of 36 competitors and first place went to Junior Charles of South Plains with a time of 47.95 seconds and the runner-up was Gyasi in 48.06 seconds.

Many sports followers and even track & field athletes may not know that the 400m outdoor running is totally different from running the same distance indoor.

Firstly, the track is only 200m, comprising six lanes and is banked so athletes can run fast around the bends.

Secondly, two laps are required and the athletes break after 170m, which means it can get a bit bumpy. The bends are tight resulting in the short 50m straights, the only opportunity to negotiate an overtaking.

The athletes should be prepared for a lot more contact since they won't be in lanes the whole time, and it is much more difficult to pass. The difficulty in passing comes from the fact straightaways are potentially only 50m long. The athletes can still pass on a curve, but it's just not ideal. This means there is a lot more jockeying for position.

Thirdly, because of the tight bends involved, athletes not drawn in one of the outside lanes had next to no chance of winning.

This means the athletes have to get out fast once the gun goes otherwise they will be left behind with a lot of work to do in order to get past the leaders.

Azemia is the holder of Seychelles’ 400m hurdles record of 50.74 seconds which he achieved on August 15, 2016 during the Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

G. G.