Jamaica's Celia Walters (left) wins her 200m heat at the 6th IAAF World Youth Championship in Bressanone, Italy, yesterday. - Anthony Foster/Freelance Photographer
BRESSANONE, Italy:For the second day running, Jamaica failed to pick up a medal at the sixth IAAF World Youth Championships in Italy.
In the lone final contested by Jamaica on yesterday's third day, Javere Bell's personal best effort of 47.89 seconds was only good enough for sixth.
Bell, who ran out of lane six went out slow and was overtaken early by Grenadian Kirani James and American Joshua Mance, drawn in lanes three and four, respectively. However, at the 250-metre mark, Bell tried to come back, but it was far too late to catch the fast-finishing leaders.
"Disappointed," was how Bell described the end result. He said he was confident going in, but had to be careful at the start because of a sore hamstring.
However, he was still grateful. "I have to thank God I made it to the final and finished it."
James, who ran 45.45 to break Usain Bolt's Under-20 400m record at Carifta in April, recorded a new personal best and Championship record of 45.24.
James had mixed feelings about his race. "It feels good to win, but I think I could run a faster time ... I was targeting 44 high," he said.
Mance was second in 46.22, while Sudan's Awadelkarim picked up third in 47.15.
wanted to run 45
Mance said: "I wanted to run 45 much more than I wanted to win, but I still have to give thanks."
In the girls' event, which was without a Jamaican entry, Americans Ebony Eutsey (52.88) and Michelle Brown (53.44) finished one-two.
Earlier, both Jamaican girls, Siedatha Palmer, third in heat one (25.01) and Celia Walters, winner of the second heat in 24.20, were easy in qualifying for the next round.
"I did well, but I am planning to run harder come the next round, because I am looking towards the final," said Walters.
In the boys' 200m, only Kemar Bailey-Cole, who finished second in heat six, clocking 21.88, qualified for the semi-finals.
Waynee Hyman, who ran out of lane four in the fourth heat, was third in 22.12. Hyman got out slow and never recovered or got close to winner Dedric Dukes of the United States (21.28), and Alex Jordan of New Zealand (22.10).
Meanwhile, the only Jamaican, Janieve Russell, yet to taste action will compete in the girls' long jump today. Rochelle Farquahson, who had a disappointing outing in the triple jump two days ago, will join Russell.
Both medley relays are on today. Jamaica's only medal at the championships, a bronze, was won by Traves Smikle in the discus on the opening day of the meet.