Report03 May 2009


World leads by Stewart, Culson and Williams-Mills in Kingston – Jamaica International report

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Jamaica's Kerron Stewart (c) finishes ahead of Olympic champion Shelly-Ann Fraser (right) and American Marshavet Hooker at the Jamaica International in Kingston. Stewart won in a world leading 10.92. (© Anthony Foster)

Kingston, JamaicaJamaican Kerron Stewart and Puerto Rico's Javier Culson with a world leading efforts, Americans Darvis Patton’s double and Olympic champion Dawn Harper’s sprint hurdles triumph, highlighted the performances at Saturday’s 5th Jamaica International Invitational on Saturday night (2) at the National Stadium.

The Jamaica International is one of a select group of Area meetings at which points can be acquired by athletes to qualify for the IAAF / VTB Bank World Athletics Final, to be held on 12-13 September in Thessaloniki, Greece.

Stewart, who shared the Olympic silver with compatriot Sherone Simpson, was easy crossing the finish line in 10.92 seconds, the best in the world so far this season.

“It’s a good time,” said Stewart, who continued: “It’s better than what I ran last year, so I think I am right where I need to be.”

“I felt good out there,” she added.

American Marshavet Hooker was second in 11.14 while Olympic champion Shelly-Ann Fraser was relegated to third in 11.15.

Fraser, who disclosed she was suffering from medical issues, said: “I am not 100 per cent, but I did my best.”

In the women’s 100m Hurdles, American Olympic champion Dawn Harper, came out on top in 12.78sec. Jamaican Vonette Dixon was second in 12.80 while American Candice Davis picked up third in 12.98.

“It was a great opener,” said Harper, who added, “It was my best opener.”

She added: “It’s a great building block, because I never opened like this before.”

It took a Puerto Rican national record of 48.42, a world leading mark, from Culson to beat Jamaican Isa Phillips (48.79) in the men’s 400m Hurdles.

Williams-Mills upsets Richards in 400m

In the women’s 400m, Jamaica’s Novlene Williams-Mills upset American Sanya Richards, winning in 50.99 to the latter’s 51.12, an early-season world leader for the Jamaican.

Richards, who said, “I was sick for about two or three weeks,” has taken the defeat graciously.

“I knew coming here was going to be a tough race, but I wanted to get a race under my belt, and I am happy I ran,” she said.

“She (Williams-Mills) just barely beat me and I am sick, so I am encouraged,” added Richards, who said she is suffering from a chest ailment.

As for Williams-Mills, “It’s a win, so I will take it and just work from there.”

Patton takes sprint double

Darvis Patton of the United States was a double winner, taking the men’s 100m in 10.02, the same time Antigua and Barbuda’s Daniel Bailey recorded for second, then the 200m in 20.49, easing down 10 metres out.

Jamaican national junior record holder Yohan Blake was third in 10.07.

Aleen Bailey, a member of Jamaica’s team which won the 4x100m at the 2004 Olympics, won the women’s 200m in 22.96 ahead of American Bianca Knight (23.15) an Anastasia Le-Roy, also of Jamaica (23.32).

Elsewhere...

Trinidad & Tobago’s Rennie Quow took the men’s 400m in 45.41 ahead of Jamaican Michael Blackwood 45.54. Jamaicans Nickiesha Wilson (55.20) and Kaliese Spencer (55.89) finished one-two in the women’s 400m Hurdles.

British Olympic bronze medallist Tasha Danvers finished down the line at sixth with 57.15.

Danvers said she had limited training ahead of the race, but “could not continue to put off races.”

“I am pleased that I came out and at least ran the race,” added Danvers.

In the field, American Christian Cantwell threw 21.16m, a meet record, to beat Jamaican Dorian Scott (21.09m), who had the previous record of 20.51m, in the men’s Shot Put.

American Brittney Reece was also in record-breaking mood, jumping 6.61m to beat Cuban Yargelis Savigne (6.38m) and the old mark of 6.57m held by American Funmi Jimoh in the women’s Long Jump.

Anthony Foster for the IAAF

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