Janet Richard achieved an excellent result for Maltese athletics last week after placing fourth in the 400m semi-final at the IAAF World Youth Championships in Cali, Colombia.

There were 24 runners involved in the semi-finals and Richard was classified 13th overall.

On Wednesday, the young St Patrick’s AC runner, the only Maltese competitor in the championships, had fulfilled all her promise by snatching second place in Heat One of the 400m in a time of 55.36.

In her 400m heat, Richard, who was hampered by an injury sustained on his arrival in South America, overcame opponents from Japan, Romania and Ecuador.

In a short comment after the race, Richard expressed her thanks for the continued support she receives.

Accompanying Athletics Malta official Roman Schwaiger, who was in constant contact with Richard’s coach and medical staff, said that despite the hot and humid conditions Richard performed well and her back injury held up.

Elsewhere, Bradley Mifsud continued to make significant progress in javelin and on Thursday he established a new national record when throwing 63.96m at the European Junior Championships in Eskilstuna, Sweden.

The effort placed Mifsud in 23rd place as he managed to better the throw of athletes from Germany and Finland to avoid the last place in the overall rankings.

Mifsud had set a new national record for juniors at the European Games in Baku, in June, and at the National Championships in Marsa, in May.