LaShawn Merritt runs a world-leading time and PB of 43.75 to win the 2008 Olympic 400m title (© Getty Images)
World leading performances by Americans LaShawn Merritt, Dwight Phillips and Lashinda Demus highlighted the Meeting International Region Guadeloupe in Baie Mahault on the French Caribbean Island on Friday (1).
Merritt, the reigning Olympic 400m champion, cruised to a solid and commanding 44.50 victory over the full lap, winning by more than half a second over Andrae Williams (45.04) and African record holder Gary Kikaya (45.30). Merritt, 22, won at this meeting a year ago in 44.34, but in less windy conditions. Merritt opened his season on 18 April with a 20.17 victory in Greensboro, N.C., also an early season world leader.
Phillips soars 8.51m
Phillips, the 2003 and 2005 World champion and Olympic champion in 2004, indicated that he may still be a force in the event this season after a string of seasons somewhat out of the limelight. The 31-year-old opened the competition with an 8.51m leap (w +1.8), his farthest legal leap since 2005 and the fifth farthest of his career. He followed with an 8.39m (+1.0) effort in the second round, before calling quits after an 7.98m jump in the third.
2008 Olympian Brian Johnson was second with an 8.28m effort (+1.8) with Cuban Wilfredo Martinez (8.05m/+1.7) third. Brazil's Rogerio Bispo (8.03m) also sailed beyond eight metres.
Quickest start ever for Demus
Lashinda Demus produced an impressive early season run in her first 400m Hurdles outing of the season, clocking a world-leading 54.17 to win by more than a full second over fellow American Tiffany Williams (55.36). It was the fastest start ever for Demus, now 26, the 2005 World championships silver medallist who returned to action last year after taking 2007 off for maternity leave.
Two-time Olympic 400m Hurdles champion Angelo Taylor won the men's race in 48.97, also in his first outing of the season. Ruben McCoy was second (49.78).
Elsewhere...
World leader Carmelita Jeter fought a formidable -1.2 wind to win the 100m in 11.16, well ahead of Virgin Islander Laverne Jones (11.33) and Bahamian Chandra Sturrup (11.38). Jones returned the favour in the 200 when she pulled out a narrow victory in the 200 from Rachelle Boone Smith - both were credited with a 23.07 performance - with Jeter (23.18) finishing third.
World leader and Beijing Olympic finalist Damu Cherry won the 100m hurdles in 12.81, well ahead of Danielle Caruthers (12.99) and Yvette Lewis (13.01). Terrence Trammell took the men's 110m Hurdles in 13.45.
2004 Olympic champion Shawn Crawford won the 200 in 20.59 but was a well beated fourth in the 100 (10.42), won by American Leroy Dixon in 10.34, just 0.01 seconds ahead of Churandy Martina of the Dutch Antilles. Cuban Yeimer Lopez won the 800m in 1:48.02.
Bob Ramsak for the IAAF