Photo: A smiling Sanya Richards-Ross poses after winning the Women’s 400m in 49.95s at the Jamaica International Invitational World Challenge Meet in Kingston Jamaica on Saturday.
Asafa Powell is often referred to as the sub-10 King, having run an amazing 84 races at 100m below 10 seconds, the last of which came in Kingston Jamaica last weekend at the Jamaica International Invitational World Challenge Meet.
At that same meet, Sanya Richards-Ross completed her 49th career sub-50 clocking in the Women’s 400m, when she produced a storming finish down the home stretch to go pass and pull away from main rival and fellow USA athlete Francena McCorory to win the event in a world leading 49.95s.
Richards-Ross had signaled her intentions of running a fast time in Jamaica after two superb legs for the USA in the distance medley (50.13 split) and the 4x400m (48.79 split) at the World Relays in the Bahamas a week earlier, where she propelled the teams to gold medals in both races.
Speaking with Yardie Sports after the win Richards-Ross said, “I had to time the race perfectly. I had to remain patient on the final curve even though she (McCorory) was ahead of me. I was strong enough to go pass her in the final stretch and then power to the line.”
It was a sweet feeling for the Jamaican born athlete to win yet again on local soil.
“It feels great to win in Jamaica. It is one of my favourite places to compete. I can always feel the love when I come home to run, that is why I never miss this meet when I am healthy.”
The 30 year old is clearly back to full fitness after enduring a difficult time following her first individual gold medal at the London Olympic Games in 2014. Two foot surgeries has seen her struggle with form and fitness but a return to the track a year ago has seen her steadily get back to where she once was.
Now as the track and field season gets going in earnest, the defending Olympic champion, former World champion and sub-50 Queen, will aim for the 50th sub-50 clocking of her career as she stakes her claim as one of the greatest female quarter milers of all times.
As for what it means to be facing such a milestone in her illustrious career, the wife of Super Bowl winner Aaron Ross said, “It seems surreal to have the opportunity to run 50 sub-50’s. I’m thrilled Doha may be the special place it happens.”
All eyes will be on Richards-Ross as she goes up against McCorory and Jamaica’s Stephenie McPherson who she beat into second and third place respectively in Jamaica a week ago.
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