New York-born Felix Sanchez of the Dominican Republic posted the fastest time in the semi-finals of the men's 400 metres hurdles at the World Athletics Championships, at the Stade de France, in Paris, on Wednesday.

The 25-year-old, who has been raised in California, clocked 48.16 seconds in the second heat, finishing well ahead of  British No. 1 Christopher Rawlinson, who timed 48.56 seconds.

Periklís Iakovákis of Greece had the second best time of 48.17 seconds in the semi-finals and qualified along with four others from the first heat.

Two best from each of three heats along with the two fastest losers qualified for the final.

The following are the qualifiers, with their timings in the semi-finals.

Felix Sanchez DOM 48.16

Periklís Iakovákis GRE 48.17

Joey Woody USA 48.24

Kemel Thompson JAM 48.33

Danny McFarlane JAM 48.35

Faraj Al-Nubi Mubarak QAT 48.53

Christopher Rawlinson GBR 48.56 

Llewellyn Herbert RSA 48.60