Dorian Scott (JAM) (© Getty Images)
Shot putter Dorian Scott triggered a victorious homecoming for Jamaicans at the IAAF Grand Prix status meeting in Dakar that ended in the Senegalese capital on Saturday. The meeting is the sole African fixture of the IAAF World Athletics Tour 2008.
Scott set out to make sure his first visit to the Africa was memorable. That the Shot Put was as usual staged on Goree Island a day ahead of the main competition (Fri 10) did not diminish the quality and intensity of the contest.
Eventually Scott prevailed by heaving the Shot Put to a distance of 20.52m. Ukraine’s Olympic champion Yuriy Bilonog (20.24) was runner up ahead of Slovakia’s Milan Haborak (20.14). “The atmosphere on Goree Island was great. It is so encouraging to see young children so passionate about athletics. They cheer every competitor. I certainly wish to come back next year,” said Scott.
More success came the way of the Jamaicans on Saturday when Clement Campbell won the men’s 100m in a time of 10.24. “For us Jamaicans a chance to come to Africa is a lifelong dream. Our ancestors came from Africa and so to win my race on my first trip to Africa means a lot to me,” Campbell revealed.
Isa Phillips (49.70) 400m Hurdles victory gave Jamaica their third win of the day. “We come from a long tradition of quality hurdlers. My manager and trainer Graham Winthrop was the best Jamaica has ever produced. He is encouraging me to train and possibly surpass the mark he achieved. If all goes well I hope I will be one of the Jamaicans who run under 48 seconds this year,” said Phillips.
100m PB for Osayomi
Meanwhile Nigerian Africa champion Oludamola Osayomi broke the Jamaican monopoly when she dethrone Jamaica’s Sheri-Ann Brooks in the women’s 100m. Osayomi clocked 11.10 to Brooks 11.27. “This is my first time to visit Senegal and I am really impressed with the lively crowd. With the crowd cheering us like this I am not surprised that I run my fastest time this year,” Osayomi admitted.
Brooks (23.01) bounced back in the 200m. She held off a late surge by Mali’s Kadiatou Kamara (23.07) to retain her title. “This time I had a better start than I did in the 100m. I am just glad that my times are decent and should get me into some big races in the European circuit,” Brooks revealed.
Comebacks for Lewis and Washington?
Elsewhere Grenada’s triple jumper Randy Lewis and American 200m sprinter Tyree Washington not only won their events on their maiden trip to Africa, but also signalled they are back in topflight competition after being dogged with injury.
Lewis sparkled with a wind-assisted winning leap of 17.30m. He effectively spoilt the homecoming party for Senegal’s recently crowned Africa champion Ndiss Kaba Badji (17.00m). The Ukraine’s Viktor Iastrebov (16.85) was third. “For the past two year I have been plagued with injuries. With the way my training is going, I feel possible that this is the start of my way back to top flight competition,” Lewis asserts.
Washington was a bit surprised by his 20.78 victory in the 200m. “I did not expect to win the 200m as I had a slow start on the turn. Once on the home straight I knew the speed endurance from 400m will carry me through. It is great to be back competing after the injury setback of the past two years. I look forwards to bettering my times at the Prefontaine Classic in Oregon,” Washington asserted.
Zimbabwe’s regular 400m campaigner Talkmore Nyongani started his outdoor season with victory in a modest 45.98, while Botswana’s Amantle Montsho coasted home to a comfortable 51 seconds victory in the women’s version of the one lap race.
Other winners included Russian Evgenia Isakova (56.20) in 400m Hurdles, South African long jumper Karen Mey (6.59), German shot putter Nadine Kleinnert (19.51m), Hungarian discus thrower Gabor Mate (64.93), the Ukraine’s pole vaulter Denis Yurchenko (5.55), Botswana’s high jumper Kabelo Kgosimang (2.24), Kenyan 3000m runner Bernard Sang (7:48.88). Algerian Ait Hammou (2:05.06) and Senegal’s Abdoulaye Wagne (1:49.21) in the women’s and men’s 800.
By an IAAF correspondent
