Featured image: Maja Hitij/Getty Images for 2022 World Indoor Championships
BELGRADE, Serbia— The 2022 World Athletics Indoor Championships (Belgrade22) is coming to a close and Liberia has already completed its appearance. Belgrade22 is the 18th World Indoor Championship. Altogether Liberia sent three athletes to compete at the three-day event: sprinter Emmanuel Matadi along with hurdlers Ebony Morrison and Wellington Zaza.
First appearance
On Saturday March 19, day two of the championship, Matadi and Morrison were both scheduled to compete at Štark Arena. However, Matadi did not start the men’s 60 meters dash. According to team lead Kouty Mawenh, Matadi tested positive for COVID-19 and could not perform.
Morrison, on the other hand, ran the women’s 60 meters hurdles. She placed second in her round-one heat with an 8.09 time. This timing gave her a new personal best and broke the national record that she previously set. It also advanced her to the semifinals.
During the women’s 60mH semifinals, Morrison gave another impressive performance. Despite clipping a hurdle and cutting her knee, Morrison finished fourth in her heat. She completed the race in 8.07 seconds setting yet another new personal best and national record.
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Second appearance
On the third and final race day, Zaza represented Liberia in the men’s 60mH round one. Despite a record-breaking season, Zaza did not advance to the semifinals. He finished seventh in his heat and completed the race in 7.8 seconds.
The 2022 World Athletics Indoor Championships closes out an impressive indoor season for Liberia. All three Liberian competitors set national records ahead of the big meet. Now the entire athletics team will prepare for the 2022 World Athletics Championships, which focuses on outdoor events.
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Supporters look forward to viewing these national record holders and the rest of the Liberia athletics team during the outdoor track season. The 2022 World Athletics Championships will take place in Eugene, Oregon USA. It will be held from July 15 to the 24.