Photo: New National 100m Champion Elaine Thompson crosses the line in a record equalling 10.70s. Also in picture from left to right – Christania Williams who was third in a personal best of 10.97s, Sasha Lee Forbes who finished sixth in 11.17 and Kerron Stewart 7th in 11.26s.
Elaine Thompson once again made it clear that she is here to stay and is looking to continue the trend of great Jamaican female sprinters. She copped her first national title in a national record equaling and personal best effort of 10.70 seconds. That time makes her the fourth fastest woman over the 100m and now sit as joint record holder with defending Olympic Champion Shelly-Ann Fraser- Pryce who was second in 10.93 seconds.
The MVP clean sweep was completed with Christania Williams third in a new personal best of 10.97 seconds ahead of Veronica Campbell Brown in 11.10 seconds.
“It is great feeling. I started the season well. I wasn’t 100 % healthy, so didn’t expect any super time but when I saw the time I was grateful. I am excited that me and my teammates came out and did well. So I can’t complain,” Thompson explained.
Her previous best was 10.84 seconds done in May 2015 at the Jamaica International Invitational Meet.
The Men’s 100m final provided more than would be found at the cinema, after irate fans and fellow competitors reacted viciously to the initial decision to credit Yohan Blake with a false start. Jason Livermore, who was first away from the starting blocks, appeared to be the guilty party but after a fairly long deliberation among track officials a red card came out, and went to lane 4. This spurred a displeased spectator to dash onto the track to voice his obvious displeasure.
The red card was eventually rescinded and a green card shown to the entire field. After a fairly long delay and the athletes regained their focus it was Blake who was first to cross the line in a season’s best equaling run of 9.95 seconds. Nickel Ashmeade was second in 9.96 seconds ahead of surprised package Jevaughn Minizie who clocked a new personal best of 10.02 seconds, which was his third of personal best run in two days.
Fourth Spot went to the man dubbed the Sub Ten King, Asafa Powell in 10.03 seconds.
The man, who most if not all fans came to see, world and national record holder Usain Bolt was absent from the race and later revealed that he was injured via his twitter account – where he was quoted as saying “After feeling discomfort in my hamstring after the first round last night and then again in the semi-final tonight, I was examined by the Chief Doctor of the National Championships and diagnosed with a Grade 1 tear.”
Ristanana Tracey won the women’s 400m hurdles in 54.75 seconds ahead of Leah Nugent in 55.44 seconds and Kaliese Spencer in 55.83 seconds.
Ansert Whyte ran 48.66 seconds to make a successful defense of his national title. He had a tight battle with national junior record holder Jaheel Hyde who clocked a new personal best and national record of 48.81 seconds. That time also extended his world junior leading mark as he looks to make a successful bid at that crown in Poland laater this month. Third was Roxroy Cato who clocked 48.96 seconds to secure his ticket to his second Olympic Games.
The Women’s Discus Final stayed true to the script with the top three Jamaicans and Olympic qualifiers securing the top three spot. Grand Canyon University’s Tara Sue Barnett won with a heave of 59. 03m ahead of Shadae Lawrence 58.95m and finishing third was national record holder Kellion Knibb 57.56m.
Chanice Porter, 6.59m, defended her long jump title ahead of Jessicca Noble 6.28m and Tricia Moss 6.13m settling for third.
Kemoy Campbell retained his 5000m title in a time of 13: 42.48 seconds ahead of Dwayne Graham 15:42.64 seconds and third went Robin Rowe 16: 31.66 seconds.
Christine Day made light work of heat five, advancing fastest to the semifinals of the women’s 400m with 50.74 seconds. NCCA Championship standout Chris-Ann Gordon was second in that heat in 51.64 seconds to make it safely through as well.
Novlene Williams won her heat in 52.51 seconds ahead of Anniesha McLaughlin- Whilby in 52.74 seconds. Stephanie McPherson 52.10 seconds and World Championship bronze medalist Shericka Jackson 52.74 seconds also made progress to the next round.
National record holder Rusheen Mcdonald qualified second fastest to the men’s semifinals winning heat one in 45.99 seconds. Peter Matthews was the fastest qualifier winning heat five in 45.75 seconds. National junior champion, Christopher Taylor, clocked 46.69 seconds to win heat three.
Demish Gaye ran 46.09 seconds and Javon Francis 47.22 seconds to win heat four and five respectively. Ricardo Chambers clocked 46.60 seconds to win the final heat and advanced to the next round scheduled for Saturday’s third and penultimate day of the championship.
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