Former Jackson State star Michael Tinsley advanced to Saturday’s semifinals of the men’s 400-meter hurdles as track and field opened today at the Summer Olympics.

Tinsley, a former NCAA champion for the Tigers, won the second of six heats in 49.19 seconds.

Puerto Rico’s Javier Culson, this year’s world leader and gold-medal favorite, ran the fastest heat of 48.33 seconds.

The United States’ Kerron Clement, the 2008 Olympic silver medalist and 2009 world champion, was second in Culson’s heat in a season-best of 48.48 – also second overall.

Angelo Taylor, of Decatur, Ga., the Olympic gold medalist in 2000 and 2008, won the fifth heat in 49.29.

Great Britain’s Dai Greene was also a heat winner in 48.98.

The semifinals are scheduled for Saturday night, with the final Monday. Referenced from JSU