Photo: Shasha Lee Forbes
Sprinter Shasha Lee Forbes provided the biggest highlight for Jamaica on an entertaining first day of the NACAC U23 Championships when she sped to an 11.51 seconds victory in the women’s 100m final in the city of El Salvador on Friday.
Running into a strong -2.0 m/s breeze and despite a far-from-perfect start, Forbes quickly got into her running before crossing the line ahead of Shayla Sanders, (United States) 11.52 and Carmiesha Cox (Bahamas) 11.76 seconds.
Forbes had earlier qualified fastest going into the final with 11.56 and was naturally elated after she copped the title, especially with the challenges she had since they landed.
“I was confident going in, but It’s been very rough since we got here. I got through it all because am a born warrior,” said the ebullient Forbes, who is also running in the 4x100m relay for Jamaica.
“The weather is just like back home so it was OK for me in terms of the temperatures, but the wind affected the time.”
Forbes who finished sixth at the recently held Jamaica National Senior Championship and booked her ticket to the Rio Olympic Games is focused on delivering when the time comes.
The trip to her first senior competition (NACAC U23 Championship) is like the prelude to the Olympic Games for the GC Foster/Sprint Tech athlete and she is anxious to give of her best in Brazil.
“I am very happy to be heading into Rio with a title to my name and this has now set me up in a very positive way, so all am thinking about is to give my country what they need,” Forbes explained.
Forbes had given notice that she was ready to go into new territory since the commencement of the ungoing season and despite her struggling with a few early season injuries she is still a satisfied and grateful campaigner.
“I am more than satisfied. I ran my personal best in every round all season. I have to say thanks to the best coach, Mr Maurice Wilson for his time with me and there’s a lot more to come.”
The 20 year old, former Holmwood Technical standout, heaped some praises to her God and her extended supporting team.
“A big thanks to God Almighty, my family and the GC Foster family and to my motivators Lamar Richards, Alvin, Audra Segree, Simone Forbes and the rest of my family thanks again.”
Ajamu Graham could not quite reignite the form he let off in his semi-final, neither repeat what his female counterpart did after he logged 10.68 (-0.9m/s) for sixth position in the Men’s 100m final.
The event went to United States Kendal Williams in 10.23 seconds ahead of Stanly del Carmen of Dominican Republic 10.37 second and Levi Cadogan Barbados in 10.37 seconds.
In the Men’s Discus, Basil Bingham 52.20m and Glenford Watson 50.85m could only manage fourth and fifth places respectively. The Gold was won by United States Brian Williams in 58.00m flat.
Isheka Binns narrowly missed the podium after she threw 49.45m for fourth spot in the female equivalent. The medals went to United States pair of Shelbi Vaughn 57.20m and Tera Novy 55.70m and Canada’s Agnes Esser 51.50m copped the bronze.
Aubrey Allen 7.13m finished seventh in the Men’s Long Jump final where Ifeanyichukwu Otuonye of the Turks & Caicos won with mark of 7.88m.
Both Chris-Ann Gordon 51.50 seconds and Sonikqua Walker 53.01 made easy qualification to the finals of the women’s 400m schedule for Saturday second day of action.
Nathon Allen will be the lone competitor in the Men’s final after he clocked 46.46 seconds to win his heat. His teammate Martin Manley 47.76 seconds was only good enough for fourth spot in his heat failed to make the final eight.
Chris Dale McCarthy and Marvin Williams will start their campaigns in the Women’s sprint hurdles and Men’s 400m hurdles on Saturday as well.
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