Miles Outerbridge’s bid to reach the finals of the World Athletics Under-20 Championships 200 metres fell short last night.

Outerbridge came eighth in his heat in a time of 21.36, a slower time than he recorded in the first heat of the competition in Eugene, Oregon.

The heat was won by 100 metres winner American Tate Taylor, who finished in 20.34. Teammate Blake Hamilton was next best, powering through the finish line to win heat one in a time of 20.38. Barbados' Jayden Green was third fastest at 20.46.

The semi-final represents another opportunity for the Carifta Games 100 metres gold medallist to test himself against the world’s best juniors. A top-two finish in his heat, or one of the next two fastest times, would have sent send him through to the final.

Earlier yesterday, the 18-year-old clocked 20.98 seconds to finish fifth in the first heat of the event at the iconic Hayward Field. Green won the heat in 20.58.

With the first three finishers in each heat plus the next six fastest overall progressing, Outerbridge secured one of the time-qualifier spots. He was eighteenth overall of 52 starters, with Amir Thompson, from Barbados, posting the quickest time of the heats with 20.49.