By the Caribbean Journal staff

Kirani James won his second consecutive heat Sunday to move on to the finals in the 400-metre men’s race.

James, who leads Grenada’s medal hopes in London, finished in 44.59, the second-fastest time in the semi-finals behind Trinidad’s Lalonde Gordon.

James finished ahead of the Bahamas’ Chris Brown in his heat.

His medal hopes got another boost earlier when it was announced that American LaShawn Merritt, the previous Olympic champion in the 400m, pulled out after an injury.

Another Bahamian, Demetrius Pinder, also qualified for the final with a time of 44.94.

South Africa’s Oscar Pistorius, a double-amputee who runs on carbon-fibre blades, failed to make it to the final round.

James will run in lane 5 on Monday.

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