Gay’s 19.97sec 200m tops world season leading times in Kingston
Sunday 6 May 2007
Kingston, Jamaica - Five athletes, Jamaicans Veronica Campbell, Kenia Sinclair, Brigitte Foster-Hylton and Melaine Walker along with American Tyson Gay posted world season leads, while last year’s fastest female sprinter Sherone Simpson was beaten at Saturday night’s Jamaica International Invitational at the National Stadium (5 May).
TYSON GAY WINS IN KINGSTON.
MORE ACTION PIX OF THE WOMEN SPRINTERS AT IAAF WEBSITE
The Jamaica International Invitational is one of a select group of Area Permit meets at which points can be earned for qualification to the IAAF World Athletics Final.
Veronica Campbell wins the 100m in Kingston
(Errol Anderson,The Sporting Image)
Fast track
Tyson Gay, the fourth fastest 200m runner of all-time (19.68 – 2006), was impressive as he dominated the half-lap from start to finish. Gay, who came off the bend really fast, crossed the finish line in a meet record of 19.97 seconds to beat Jamaica’s 2001 World Championships silver medallist Chris Williams ( 20.67).
He was happy with his performance. “I wanted to run-up with 19.9 and I did,” he said. “The race was good, the track is really fast,” he added.
Rachelle Smith beats Sherone Simpson in Kingston
(Errol Anderson,The Sporting Image)
Campbell “satisfied”
Veronica Campbell, the Athens Olympic 200m champion, won the women’s 100m in 11.07 seconds. The time beat the previous world leading time of 11.10 held by compatriot Kerron Stewart, and was good enough to edge out Americans Marshevet Hooker and Rachelle Smith who finished second and third in 11.08 and 11.19 respectively. Campbell who was out injured for most of last year was a pleased woman.
“It was a great race, very competitive and I am satisfied with the results,” said Campbell, who recovered from a slow start to secure the win. "It’s almost a year since I have not run a 100m, so I have to give thanks. I am really happy that I could come out here today and take this win.”
Brigitte Foster-Hylton after beating Perdita Felicien in Kingston
(Anthony Foster)
Third placer Rachelle Smith returned for the 200m and clocked 22.65 to beat last year’s world leader in both sprints, Sherone Simpson (22.76 ), who refused to speak to journalists after the race.
Smith was excited about beating the Commonwealth Games 200m champion. “I knew she (Simpson) was a major athlete and she was in lane four and I was in five, so the plan was for her not to catch me,” Smith said.
Foster-Hylton takes a close win
Brigitte Foster-Hylton won the women’s 100m Hurdles in 12.71 seconds second to beat Canadian 2003 World Champion Perdita Felicien (12.75) in a close finish.
Foster-Hylton had mixed feelings after the victory. “Today the hurdling was a little bit messy,” she said. “I am not please with the start, but it’s the first one … I am fit and strong, but just need to clean up some things and then I am good to go,” she added.
As for Felicien, she was pleased with the end result. “I am happy with it, but there is a lot to improve on, I am sure for Brigitte as well,” said the 2003 World champion. “I think the beginning was a little bit weak, but the middle was pretty strong, I need to work on not hitting hurdles,” added the Canadian.
Sub-2 for Sinclair
Sinclair topped the 800m field in a stadium record 1:59.19 seconds ahead of Guyana’s Marion Burnett (2:01.53) while Walker ran 55.21 seconds to beat compatriot Shevon Studdart (55.53).
“When I come to Jamaica and just want to win, because it would be bad to get beaten at home, so when I step on the track I just go out with a winning attitude,” said Sinclair. “I wanted to run 1:58, I positioned myself to, but my last 200m was not that strong. I am happy with the time I ran, because this is my best opening up so far, so I am happy,” said the World Indoor silver medallist.
Brown opens well
Trinidad & Tobago’s Darrell Brown won the men’s 100m in 10.02 ahead of Jamaicans Michael Frater ( 10.13) and Lerone Clarke (10.15). Brown was delighted with his fastest opener. “It’s my opening race for the year, so I am pretty happy,” he said.
Merrit – 44.95 for the lap
American Lashaun Merritt won the men’s 400m in 44.95 ahead of compatriot Andrew Rock ( 45.21) and Jamaican Usain Bolt, who did a personal best (45.25).
The women’s equivalent went to Dee Dee Trotter in 50.57 ahead of Novelene Williams ( 50.87).
United States’ Aries Merritt won the men’s 110m Hurdles in 13.33 seconds ahead of compatriot Roland Bramlett ( 13.38) while Derrick Williams, also of USA, took the 400m Hurdles in 48.65.
Anthony Foster for the IAAF
Click here for FULL RESULTS