THOMPSON, BAILEY COLE, RUSSELL AMONGST TOP PERFORMERS AT JAMAICA INTERNATIONAL INVITATIONAL

Photo: Elaine Thompson wins the 100m ahead of English Gardener at the Jamaica International Invitational Meet on Saturday in Kingston, Jamaica.

World Championship silver medallist Elaine Thompson defended her 100m crown in a sizzling wind-assisted 10.71 seconds (+2.4m/s) at the 13th staging of the Jamaica International Invitational Meet (JIIM) on Saturday, inside the National Stadium.

The 2015 National 200m champion blew away the field, including American English Gardner who was second in 10.85 seconds and Trinidadian Michelle-Lee Ahye who secured third in 10.98 seconds.

“It’s a stepping stone to see where I am at, so I’m taking it one step at a time. Each race that I run I’ll see what I can correct with my coach and see what I have to do next. My start isn’t the best, but I’m working on it and I’ve been getting better,” Thompson told reporters.

When quizzed about the speculations of a possible 100m and 200m double at this year’s Rio Olympics, Thompson revealed that the decision doesn’t rest in her hands.

“My training is going good thus far so I know anything is possible. As it relates to the double this year I am not sure. That is all up to my coach” she explained.

The 2014 Commonwealth 100m Champion Kemar Bailey-Cole ran a very composed race to secure the men’s equivalent in a decent 10.01 seconds. He managed to snatch victory ahead of American Mike Rodgers (10.03) and fellow Jamaica Julian Forte who was third in 10.06 seconds, while American and former world champion Tyson Gay faded to fifth in 10.08 seconds.

“10.01 is a good start, running my first 100m. I didn’t really expect to come out here and run this fast. So I am very happy with results and this definitely boosts my confidence going into trials and the other races coming up this week” Bailey Cole said.

The Racers Track Club athlete was sidelined by a hamstring injury last year, which forced him out of the 2015 World Championships. He revealed that he is slowly coming back and will continue to build up as he aims for an individual spot on the team to Rio.

“The preparation was very bad. It was on and off and I never got to do much background work. I didn’t get much sprinting in and I just came out here to run. As you know I had torn my hamstring last year in Tottori. But I know I can get a good race in at trials and definitely I can be on that team to Rio,” he explained.

Former world 100m record holder Asafa Powell returned from a 200m hiatus dating back to about 2007, to win that event in 20.45 seconds ahead of Bejee Lee of the USA in 20.52, and Jamaica’s 2014 Commonwealth Games champion Rasheed Dwyer, also in 20.52 seconds.

“I felt good for the first 150 I ran quite well, the last half I got a bit tired and dropped my knees a bit. I had a hard week in training but I felt comfortable before the race. I just wanted to win here today,” Powell explained.

2016 world number on ranked 400m athlete Shaunae Miller of the Bahamas ran a meet record equalling 22.14 (+2.5 m/s) in the 200m. She dispatched a decent field minus the World 100m champion, Shelly Ann Fraser- Pryce, to win ahead of Jamaica’s Annesha McLaughlin-Whilby (22.79) and American Shalanda Solomon took third spot clocking 22.80 seconds.

“I am extremely happy. I am looking for good things over the 200m. I not sure if I will be attempting the 200-400m double, that’s all up to my coach. But if it was up to me, I would do the 200m and the long jump,” Miller said.

Despite not getting the victory on the night, McLaughlin-Whilby expressed her joy of being back on track and being able to compete well.

“I am very happy, I am coming off a yearlong break so this is a get back season for me. Last year I was in the stands and to be out here this time is really a good feeling. Working out with my high school coach, training is going great” she revealed.

American Brianna Rollins navigated her way to a wind aided 12.52 (+2.9 m/s) in the women’s 100m hurdles. Second spot went to fellow American Queen Harrison (12.54) and third was Jamaican and reigning World Champion Danielle Williams with an effort of 12.55.

“I feel great, despite not being able to achieve the race I wanted to run today. When you are racing in a 100m hurdles against such a quality field, you can never really be mad at yourself,” Rollins told reporters.

Williams who was in her first race locally since her exploits at last year’s World Championships was all smiles despite having to settle for third spot.

“This definitely is a good opener for me. This is the fastest I have ever run despite the wind speed. I am now getting there and I am happy.”

The 2015 World Championships 400m hurdles finalist and 2014 Commonwealth Games bronze medallist Janieve Russell, ran a relatively easy race to win in a new personal best time of 54.61 seconds.

She romped home ahead of fellow Jamaica Ristananna Tracey (55.31) and American Leah Nugent (56.24).

“I am very excited about my performance. I didn’t run it as Stephen Francis had planned. I went out pretty slow and closed very fast, but felt really easy in the race, despite making so many mistakes, so I know I can definitely go faster. I just need to continue working hard and listen to the instructions of my coach,” Russell stated.

Tracey who is on a rebuilding process, expressed her satisfaction with her effort on the night.

“I am satisfied with this one tonight. I am just believing in training and taking things a step at a time” she explained.

Bahamian and 2015 World Championship Silver medallist Jeffery Gibson showed superior strength to power his way to victory in the men’s event in a fast 48.96 seconds.

“I really happy with the time I did. It’s definitely a big improvement from what I did last week. I know I can do much better. Last year it took me about four to five races to get to the 48’s. I didn’t show the strength as I did today. So I am looking to drop a stellar time in Rio,” Gibson said.

Reigning World Junior 400m hurdles champion, Jamaica’s Jaheel Hyde, ran a very good race to claim second, in a world leading junior mark of 49.16 seconds. American Bershawn Jackson had to settle for third in 49.29 ahead Jamaica’s Roxroy Cato who finished fourth in 49.32.

“Its early season and I ran close to my PR, so I am thankful for where I am. It’s going well and I am not 100 percent yet. I am not putting any pressure on myself. I am still young, just 19 year. But I want to be number one in Jamaica this year and I am looking to defend my World Junior title and look to Rio. “Hyde explained.

Jamaica’s Javon Francis showed a lot of guts as he produced a very good last 20 metres to secure the Men’s 400m in 44.85 ahead of Vernon Norwood (USA) 45.00 seconds and Belgium’s Kevin Borlee third in 45.17 seconds.

American Francena McCorory produced her usual late burst of speed to capture the women’s race in 50.52 seconds, pegging back Jamaica’s Novlene Williams-Mills who held on for second spot in 50.87 seconds with 2014 Commonwealth Champion Stephanie McPherson third in 51.20 seconds.

Wesley Vazquez of Puerto Rico won the men’s 800m in 1:46.15 seconds and USA’s Stanley KipKoech Kebneei won the men’s steeplechase in 8:36.37 seconds.

Alexa Effraimson won the women’s 1500m in a time of 4:08.3 seconds ahead of teammates Leach Occnnor 4:11.45 seconds and Dana Mecke 4:17.09 seconds. Kenia Sinclair who is back from a three year hiatus was fourth in 4:17.13 seconds.

There were wins for Americans Gwen Berry, Brittany Smith and Trinidad and Tobago’s Shakeil Waithe in the women’s hammer throw, shot put and men’s javelin events respectively.

Berry set a National Stadium and meet record with a throw of 73.82 metres in the hammer, American, Jene Stephens McCall (71.06m), was second, and Britain’s Sophie Hitch (70.65m), third.

Smith produced a mark of 18.41 to win the shot put ahead of Jeneva Stevens 18.07 and Canadian Brittany Crew with 17.57. Jamaican Geneva Greaves was sixth with 14. 57m.

Waithe had a winning throw of 76.30m in the javelin. The United States duo, Riley Dolezal (76.26m) and Cypress Hostetler (74.25m) took second and third while Jamaica’s Orlando Thomas (69.92m) was sixth.

American Chris Benard won the Men’s Triple Jump with a mark of 16.45m, while fellow country woman Janay Deloach winning the long jump with a mark of 6.47m.