Beyonce A. DeFreitas, left, takes to the start line for the Women's 200m Heats at the World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon on July 18, 2022. Photo: YouTube

The two-times Diamond League winner, Kyron A. McMaster, had noticeably struck a hurdle while leading his Heat race on Saturday, July 16, 2022, and then faded to 4th, but was still able to qualify for the semi-finals on Sunday. Photo: Kermit Taylor/Bahamas Athletics

Commonwealth Games Champion McMaster pulled put of the semi-finals of the 400m Hurdles due to an injury concern.

The two-times Diamond League winner had noticeably struck a hurdle while leading his Heat race on Saturday, July 16, 2022, and then faded to 4^th, but was still able to qualify for the semi-finals on Sunday.

Reports are that McMaster, out of an abundance of caution, was rested up so he could be fit to defend his Commonwealth Games title in Birmingham in a couple weeks time.

DeFreitas 7^th in 200m Heats

Meanwhile, DeFreitas found the going tough in the Women’s 200m Heats, placing 7^th in a non-advancing time of 23.81 last night, July 18, 2022.

That race was won by American Abbey Steiner in 22.26 seconds, while second was Switzerland’s Mujinga Kambunji in 22.34 seconds.

Third was Nzubechi G. Nwokocha of Nigeria in 22.61 seconds.

Defreitas, the University of Central Florida athlete, was looking to build off an already impressive year that saw her become a First Team All-American with the Knights’ 4x1 team.