Damian and Justyn Warner Day 1

Damian Warner in Daegu

DAEGU – Kicking off the first day of the IAAF World Championships in Athletics, the Canadian team saw five competitors take to the stage; highlights include Damian Warner with a day 1 top 10 finish in the decathlon, and Justyn Warner’s qualification into the 100-metres semi final.

After the first day of the men’s decathlon, Damian Warner of London, Ont., sits in ninth place overall with 4173 points. In the 100m he ran 10.56 seconds, long jumped 7.35 metres, shot put 13.26 metres, high jumped 2.02 metres and ran the grueling fifth event in 50.12 seconds over 400-metres. “I am looking for a top 8 finish overall but it is great to gain this experience. Now Icebath, eat and sleep.” Events up tomorrow include the 110-metre hurdles, discus, pole vault, javelin and 1500-metres.

Jamie Adjetey-Nelson of Windsor, Ont., took to the world stage in the first two events of the decathlon where he ran 100-metres in 10.97 and long jumped 7.21 metres. Unfortunately Jamie was unable to continue due to an ongoing injury; a valiant effort.

In the men’s 100-metres heats Justyn Warner of Markham, Ont., was the fastest qualifier on time with 10.33 seconds to secure his spot into the semi finals. “One round at a time, but I made it through. Hopefully the wind changes tomorrow but I am happy”. The semi finals will take place tomorrow at 18:30 local time (5:30am eastern time) with the finals at 20:45 (7:45 ET).

Sudbury, Ont.’s Andrew Ellerton finished fifth in his 800-metres heat and will not advance into the semi finals with a time of 1:47.47. “I was hoping for semis but it was a big learning experience this year; I made some big jumps that I will use for 2012.”

Jim Steacy of Lethbridge, Alta., registered a best throw of 73.32 metres in the men’s hammer throw and will not advance into the finals. “I just didn’t have it today; I was looking for a seasonal best. No excuses it’s on me, I will use this for motivation in the winter.”

Others taking to the field tomorrow are Saskatoon, Sask.’s Kelsie Hendry in the women’s pole vault qualification group A, and Ste-Justine, Que.’s Julie Labonte in the women’s shot put qualification group A