Jamaica’s Christopher Taylor qualified for the final of the men’s 400 metres at the Tokyo Olympic Games on Monday as he finished second in Semi-finals Two to earn an automatic spot.

The final takes place August 5 at 7:20 am (EST)

Dimesh Gaye, Jamaica’s other competitor in the semi-finals, failed to progress after finishing fourth in Semi-finals Three.

Taylor, in lane eight of his semi-finals, stayed with his rivals until the top of the homestretch, as with Michael Cherry of the United States (US) well in front, he made a decisive burst of speed to separate himself from the others in the field.

SEASON BEST FOR GAYE

Taylor ran a season best of 44.92 seconds with Cherry winning in 44.44 as Australia’s Steven Solomon finished third in 45.15.

Gaye also tried to improve his position in the homestretch, and actually passed world record holder and 2016 Rio Olympic Games winner Wayde van Niekerk of South Africa, but was too far behind to finish in the top two to earn an automatic spot in the final.

The event was won by Steven Gardiner of the Bahamas in a season best of 44.14 seconds with Michael Norman of the US finishing second in 44.52 and Isaac Makeala of Botswana third in 44.59. Gaye did a season best of 45.09.