Michelle Smith places second in her 400m hurdles semi-final at the 2025 FISU World University Games.
RHINE-RUHR, GERMANY — Virgin Islands hurdler Michelle Smith has qualified for the final of the Women’s 400m Hurdles at the 2025 FISU World University Games, following a strong semi-final performance on Wednesday.
Smith competed in Semi-Final #2, where she secured 2nd place with a time of 56.37 seconds—placing her 4th overall among all competitors. Her controlled form and technical execution across the hurdles have put her in a solid position to challenge for a medal in the final round.
Smith will compete in the final on Thursday, July 24, at 6:25 p.m. local time in Germany (12:25 p.m. in the Virgin Islands), where she is scheduled to run in Lane 8.
Meanwhile, fellow Virgin Islands athlete Brandon Pemberton concluded his campaign at the FISU Games after racing in the first round of the Men’s 200m on Wednesday. Running in Heat 2, Lane 8, Pemberton finished 7th with a time of 22.72 seconds, which was not sufficient to advance to the semi-finals. The event’s advancement criteria required either a top-two finish in each heat or one of the eight fastest remaining times.
Although he did not progress, Pemberton’s appearance in both the 100m and 200m events marks an important milestone in his development as an international competitor and adds to the presence of Virgin Islands athletes in elite university-level sport.
Pemberton’s next appearance will be at the Junior Pan American Games in Asuncion, Paraguay.
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