Jamaica’s Christopher Taylor and Demish Gaye advanced to the semi-finals of the men’s 400 metres at the Tokyo Olympic Games Sunday morning (Saturday night Jamaica time) while compatriot Nathan Allen failed to progress.

Taylor, in lane seven of Heat Three, clocked 45.20 seconds to finish third as the heat was won by Michael Cherry of the United States of America (USA) in 44.82 with Jonathan Jones of Barbados doing 45.04 for second.

The top three athletes in each of the six heats qualify automatically for the semi-finals, where they are joined by the next six fastest times.

Taylor was pushed for most of the race by Trinidad and Tobago’s Dwight Hillaire and had to fight off the challenge in the homestretch to finish in the top three.

Jamaican teammate Gaye, running in lane three of Heat One, finished fourth and advanced as one of the six fastest times. He ran a quick 200 metres to be among the leaders but struggled on the curve as well as in the final 100 meters.

Gaye did 45.49 seconds with Isaac Makwala of Botswana winning the heat in 44.86 as 2012 London Olympics winner Kirani James of Grenada was second in 45.09 while Jonathan Scacoor of Belgium completed the automatic qualifying spots with 45.41.

Allen, in lane four of Heat Five, ran easy for most of the race but failed to find the speed in the final 100 metres and ended fourth in a time of 46.12 seconds.

The semi-finals will be run on Monday with the final slated to take place on Thursday.