OREGON, USA — Navasky Anderson’s Commonwealth gold has had a profound impact on national junior champion Joel Morgan, who qualified for the semi-finals of the men’s 800m on Wednesday’s opening session of the World Athletics Under-20 Championships at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon.

Morgan was fourth in his first-round heat in 1:51.75 seconds after leading the race for almost 600m before securing his place as an automatic qualifier.

Kevongaye Fowler ran a personal best 2:04.31, after placing second in her heat and also advances to Friday’s semi-finals.

Inez Turner, the coach of the distance runners here, was happy with both athletes, telling the Jamaica Observer they did well to get past the first round.

“They both did exceptionally well,” Turner, herself a Commonwealth Games gold medal winner, said. “I am pleased with their performances and they just need to stay composed and disciplined in the semis and they could get through to the final.”

Meanwhile, both men in the shot put failed to advance to the final, finishing at the bottom of their respective groups.

Nkosana Johnson threw 17.63m and Kamari Kennedy threw 17.15m and missed advancing to the final set for the afternoon session.

Morgan says he takes inspiration from Anderson, who became the first Jamaican man to win the gold at the Commonwealth Games last weekend in Scotland.

“Navasky is a person who motivates me. We talk a lot, so yes, he really motivates me … he was one of the persons who motivated me coming into the the U20 championship,” Morgan said.

Morgan shared that he was satisfied with his execution and said he knew he would need to run even faster if he is to make progress.

“I feel satisfied. You know, it was just for me to come out here and just try to get the the semi-final, so it was a strategic race for me just to stay at the front and get out and lead and be in the top five for the final.”

He knows it wont be easy in the next race but he is prepared, “I think I will run real fast in the next round to meet the finals. I’m just going to go out there and give my best performance to ensure that I’m in the final.”

The leaders went through the first half of the race in just over 55.00 seconds and he said that was the plan for him.

“It was a nice composed pace, I wanted to lead through the first half, I knew that those guys are going to sprint the last half, so I stay composed and hold my composure in the race to finish off the last 400m,” Morgan said.

Fowler bettered her previous best of 2:07.64 seconds by nearly three seconds to get into the semi-final and told the Jamaica Observer she was thrilled to be featuring for Jamaica.

“I feel great to come out here on the big stage, representing my country. I got a new personal best, so I’m truly grateful for what I did just now out there,” said Fowler.

Fowler told the Observer she had not set any time targets, “My target is just to come out here, go to the semis and then the finals and hopefully I get on the podium, it’s really hard to be out here competing with so many good runners.”

Meanwhile on today’s second day of the championships, another 11 athletes will make their first appearances in individuals events while Jamaica will also contest the first round of the mixed 4x100m relay.

Jason Pitter and Jabari Matheson will contest the first round of the men’s 400m with an eye to the semis later in the day with Shameika McLean and Daniellia Dixon also down for the women’s quarter-mile.

Robert Miller and Jahvanie Tyrell will contest the men’s 400m hurdles while Maria Crossfield and Shevaughn Thomas will line up in the women’s event

Michael Andre Edwards, a dark horse for a medal in the men’s triple jump, will open his account along with Rekelme Hunter, while David Brown will contest the first round of the men’s high jump.