Beijing 2015 Silver medallist in the women’s 200m, Elaine Thompson was one of the top performers at Saturday’s (May 7) IAAF World Challenge Meeting in Kingston, Jamaica.
She raced to her second consecutive victory in the women’s 100m with a scorching wind-aided time of 10.71s and was denied a new Personal Best (PB) due to an excessive +2.4mps wind.
However, she would be consoled by her impressive form, which will serve as a huge confidence booster ahead of the rest of the outdoor season.
Familiar foes English Gardner and Michelle-Lee Ahye followed in equally fast times, clocking 10.85s and 10.98s respectively. USA’s Jenna Prandini was 4th in 11.08s.
Homeboy and Glasgow 2014 men’s 100m champion, Kemar Bailey-Cole pipped USA’s Mike Rodgers to win the men’s title in 10.01s, as the American followed in 10.03s.
Jamaica’s duo of Julian Forte (10.06s) and Andrew Fisher (10.07s) placed 3rd and 4th respectively, while Tyson Gay returned a time of 10.08s to finish 5th.
Bahamian sprinting sensation Shaunae Miller almost replicated her astonishing feat of 2015 where she sped to the 200m title with a Meeting Record (MR) of 22.14s.
The 22-year old, who currently leads the world in the 400m, clocked the same time as last year, but this time around, the mark was achieved with a slightly excessive wind of +2.2mps.
Jamaica’s Anneisha McLaughlin-Whilby was 2nd in 22.79s, finishing ahead of USA’s Shalonda Solomon (22.80s), Beijing 2015 400m Bronze medallist Shericka Jackson (22.86s) and Candyce McGrone (23.20s).
Home favourite Asafa Powell won the men’s race with a time of 20.45s, as BeeJay Lee (20.52s) and Rasheed Dwyer (20.52s) followed in 2nd and 3rd respectively.
Francena McCorory outclassed her Jamaican counterparts to win the women’s 400m in 50.52s, with the trio of Novlene Williams-Mills (50.87s), Stephenie Ann McPherson (51.20s) and Christine Day (51.91s) following. Great Britain’s Christine Ohuruogu was relegated to 5th position in 52.00s.
Youngster Javon Francis thrilled the home crowd by snatching victory in the men’s race in 44.85s, while USA’s Vernon Norwood and Kévin Borlée of Belgium clocked 45.00s and 45.17s respectively.
Moscow 2013 Champion Brianna Rollins executed an almost flawless race to win the 100m Hurdles with an impressive though wind-aided time of 12.52s.
Compatriot Queen Harrison was a close 2nd in 12.54s as reigning World Champion, Danielle Williams finished 3rd in 12.55s. European Champion Tiffany Porter, and Sharika Nelvis clocked 12.71s and 12.89s.
USA’s Jarret Eaton emerged winner of the 110 Hurdles (13.45s). Deuce Carter (13.55s) and Jeff Porter (13.59s) settled for 2nd and 3rd positions.
Beijing 2015 Bronze medallist Jeffery Gibson upstaged World Junior Champion Jaheel Hyde (49.16s) to win the men’s 400m Hurdles, returning a time of 48.96s in the process.
The more experienced Bershawn Jackson finished 3rd in 49.29s as Roxroy Cato placed 4th with a time of 49.32s.
Janay Deloach, Shara Proctor and Jessica Carolina Dos Reis were the Top 3 finishers in the women’s Long Jump event, posting 6.47m, 6.46m and 6.24m respectively.
