Yomi Omogbeja (10/08/2005)

Feraez puts Benin in historic Semis

Fabienne Feraez of Republic of Benin has made history by qualifying for the semi finals of the women's 200m at the world championships in Helsinki.

No other athlete from the West African country has ever advanced beyond the second round in a major competition, since Jean-Claude Yekpe got to the 400m quarter-finals at the World Athletics Championships in Stuttgart 1993.

But, French-born Feraez, won the third heat in 23.72 secs running into a 3.2m head wind in the heavy downpour to automatically qualified for tomorrow’s semi-finals.

The 29-year-old overtook American Rachelle Smith and Russian Irina Khabarova in the last few metres to put her country on the map.

Feraez transfered her allegiance to Benin, her father's native country, in summer 2003 after she admitted she never really felt part of the French team, who she represented at the 1999 World Student Games in Palma de Mallorca, Spain.

She then went on to represent Benin at the World Championships. in Paris 2003 where she set a new National record of 23.85 secs to qualify for the quarter-finals.

She was eighth at 200m at the Abuja 2003 All African Games and made it to the second round at the Athens Olympics in 2004 lowering her national record and personal best to 23.12 secs.

Also competing for a place in the final is South Africa's Geraldine Pillay who goes in lane one with a qualifying time of 23.58 secs.

Emedolu pulls up Injured

Nigeria's Uchenna Emedolu, a relay bronze medallist at the Olympics, pulled up injured half way down the home straight in the men's 200m quarter-finals.

Compatriot Olusoji Fasuba also failed to qualify for the semi-finals finishing last in the quarter-finals race three with 21.92 secs.

Gambia's Saidy Ndure Jaysuma just missed out of the final of the 200m after coming fifth in the first semi-final with 20.75. But, Stephane Buckland from Mauritius (third in 20.54 secs) looked good and will surely be one to watch out for in the final.

Morocco's Adil Kaouch won the silver medal in a season's best time of 3:38.00 after a tense battle with Portuguese Rui Silva (third in 3:38.02), despite losing the 1500m title to former Moroccan Rashid Ramzi of Bahrain (3:37.88).

Afterwards he said: "I am not even tired at all. I focused on the 1500m this year, prepared well for Helsinki an it paid off.

"We are all very happy and very proud of this result today."

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