Asafa Powell equals the World record - Gateshead (© Getty Images)
Kingston, JamaicaSprinters Asafa Powell and Sherone Simpson head the list of entries down for this weekend's Jamaica's National Championships (23 – 25 June) which will be held at the National Stadium.
Powell will be going after his first 200m title, while Simpson should win her first title and the sprint double in the absence of reigning double sprint champion Veronica Campbell, the Olympic champion, who is injured.
Powell will be cautious on the curve
In the absence of World Junior record holder Usain Bolt, the reigning champion over the distance, Powell should have little if any problems at all in the men’s 200m. He is expected to face and beat 2001 World Championships silver medallist Christopher Williams, Yhann Plummer, the third fastest Jamaican this season and Ainsley Waugh.
"If he (Bolt) is not there then I can win comfortable,” said Powell, whose personal best over the half lap distance is 20.06 seconds.
"I am going there to try and win as comfortable as possible," he added. "I just don't want to go out there and pressure my groin or my leg on the curve," added the joint 100m World record holder.
Simpson focuses on the dash
As for Commonwealth Games 200m champion Simpson, the emphasis will be placed on the 100m, though she is aiming for the double.
"I am just going out there to win both (races), with special focus on the 100m," she explained.
“My last two 100m races, I think technically were very poor and that's why I am going to concentrate on the 100 to ensure that all the phases are correctly performed, and so that I can run a pretty good time this season,” said Simpson.
Simpson will battle with Commonwealth Games 100m champion Sherri-Ann Brooks, 2001 sprint double champion Aleen Bailey, CAC 200m bronze medallist Peta-Gaye Dowdie in both sprints.
Close contest expected in both 400s
The men's 400m should also be hot and as Sanjay Ayre explains, the race will be close.
"This year is a non-championship year, so everybody is just vying for good times," Ayre said. "Hopefully this time around we could put on a good show for the spectators," he added.
"I know Jermaine Gonzales should be in the race, also Davian Clarke, so it should be a pretty good field. I don't want to put any particular time down, I just want to go out there and run my best," said Ayre, the fifth fastest Jamaican this season with 45.50.
NCAA silver medallist Ricardo Chambers, the world's fifth fastest this season with 44.71, is also entered.
The women's event should also be competitive, especially with two-time World Championships silver medallist Lorain Fenton gunning to regain her title. Last year, Shericka Williams surprised the track & field nation when she crossed the line to win in 50.97 seconds.
However, she anticipates a more competitive race this time around. "I am going out there to do my best ... run my personal best," said Williams of her personal best of 50.24 achieved at Gateshead on 11 June.
"The competition is going to be stiffer than last year, because a lot of girls are running a lot faster," said Williams while making reference to Moya Thompson, Novlene Williams, Fenton and Clora Williams.
Women’s sprint hurdles looks a three-way split
A battle royal also looms in the women's 100m Hurdles with Brigitte Foster-Hylton, Lacena Golding-Clarke and Vonette Dixon.
Foster-Hylton said she expects a good performance as she plans top become the top hurdler this year. "I am expecting a good performance. I can't say how fast, but it always good to run in Kingston. "The atmosphere is great, the track is a wonderful track and the wind is normally behind us at that time of the night. I am expecting to run a pretty decent time …
Foster-Hylton, the fifth fastest over the sprint obstacle this season, said she is not worried about her competitors.
"I have been taught by my coach Stephen Francis, never to worry about my opponents, because at the end of the day is about what I do in my lane, over my 10 hurdles and that what I am focusing on… I am focusing on me, executing, hurdling well, and running a good race," she said.
Maurice Wignall, Chris Pinnock should provide some excitement in the 110m Hurdles, while Danny McFarlane will be tying to get back at Kemel Thompson in the 400m Hurdles.
Commonwealth Games silver medallist Kenia Sinclair should have things her way in the women's 800m.
Three World Junior medallists, 100m bronze medallist Remaldo Rose, Sonita Sutherland, the 400m silver and Sherene Pinnock, the 400m Hurdles bronze medallist and national 400m Hurdles record holder Kaleise Spencer, are the junior star attractions.
Anthony Foster for the IAAF
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