Shelly-Ann sizzles as Jamaican women waltz into 100m semis in Rio

File Photo: Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce ran the fastest time of 10.96s in the women’s 100m on Friday night to qualify for the semi-finals.

Defending champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce led the Jamaican charge on day one of track and field action at the Rio Olympic Games on Friday, as all three entrants in the women’s 100m eased into Saturday’s semifinals.

After a disappointing morning session in which both Jamaicans failed to advance beyond the first round in the field, the ladies left the Jamaican fans with huge smiles on their faces after the final track event of the day.  Fraser-Pryce (10.96) and Elaine Thompson (11.21s) won their respective heats while Christania Williams (11.27) finished second behind Trinidad and Tobago’s Michelle-Lee Ahye in heat 6.

In the men’s 400m Fitzroy Dunkley failed to advance from heat one, finishing fourth in a time of 45.66s behind the winner Machel Cedenio of Trinidad and Tobago who won in 44.98. Javon Francis (45.88) had better fortune, finishing in the third automatic spot in heat three behind World Champion Wayde Van Niekerk of South Africa who won in 45.26. Rusheen McDonald was the fastest Jamaican on the night, finishing second in a time of 45.22s behind defending champion Kirani James of Grenada who ran 44.93.

In the field, Damar Forbes qualified for the Men’s Long Jump final with a leap of 7.85m but Aubrey Smith failed to register a mark and did not advance.

In the Women’s Hammer Throw, debutant Daina Levy had one legal throw of 60.35m and failed to advance to the final.

Track and Field action continues on Saturday with Jamaica featuring in the women’s triple jump, men’s 400m and 100m.