by Larry Eder
Machel Cedenio, photo by PhotoRun.net
Machel Cedenio is the 2014 World Junior Champion in the 400 meters, where he ran 45.13! Here is our adidas moment on this fine athlete, for Friday, July 25, 2014.
Machel Cedenio, photo by PhotoRun.net
What a difference that three years makes! In Lille, France, in the 2011 World Junior Championships, Machel Cedenio finished fourth in the 400 meters in 46.89, a personal best and a National Junior record. He had finished fourth to Arman Hall of the U.S. who had run 46.01 for the gold medal.
In 2014, with some fine coaching, a little maturing and the nurturing of his god-given talents, Machel Cedenio is a different athlete. ” Machel is the real thing, ” noted a smiling Coach Lance Brauman. ” You need to watch him race, Machel has got wheels and he will only get better.” Brauman added.
A CARIFTA champion at 200 meters and 400 meters, Machel defended his title at CARIFTA from 2011 with his 45.95 loping victory in April 2014. While many watched him for the World Juniors, Machel was picked on the form charts to win the World Junior title at 400 meters.
What is it about Machel Cedenio that stands out?
Well, one has to just watch him tour the track one time. Using his 200 meter speed (PB of 21.15), Machel gets out hard in the 400 meters and builds to the 200 meter point, where he normally has the lead. Running the third 100 meters well, Machel comes off the turn in the lead and his long strides, with his efficient arm pumping action gives him the classic long sprinter look: high knees, relaxed hands, arms pumping and Machel Cedenio will take you down.
In the final of the World Juniors, after having looked great in the rounds, Machel Cedenio was, well, nothing short of spectacular. Running a strong first half of the race, Machel ran the third hundred, and came off the turn with a HUGE lead. As he strided down the final straightaway, it was a marvel to look at Cedenio’s huge lead! Over a second was the difference between Cedenio’s 45.13 and Nobuya Kato’s 46.17 for the silver medal. in the bronze medal position, Abbas Abukaker Abbas, ran 46.20.
The Oregonian, a newspaper that knows a thing or two about covering track meets, noted that Machel Cedenio “dominated” the 400 meters. That is a nice way of putting it.
Let us see how the World Junior Champion, hailing from Trinidad & Tobago does as he moves up to the next level.
We look forward to seeing his long stride and obvious strength over the distance move up to the senior races. Dare we say, see you in Beijing in 2015, Machel Cedenio?
One person it would not surprise: coach Lance Brauman. Lance told us to watch his runner from TTO, and we did!
Machel Cedenio, photo by PhotoRun.net
To see the official results from the World Junior 400 meters: 400 Meter Final Results.
