Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce wins in Kingston (© AFP / Getty Images)
Omar McLeod and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce dashed to world-leading 110m hurdles and 100m times at the Jamaican Championships in Kingston, which ended on Sunday (28) after four days of competition.
McLeod, still a student at the University of Arkansas, became the first man to run faster than 13 seconds on the famously fast National Stadium track when he clocked 12.97 (1.0m/s) on Saturday. Hansle Parchment ran 13.08 for second place.
The day before, Fraser-Pryce blasted her way down the track to a time of 10.79 with just a light breeze of 0.4m/s to help her.
The triple world champion from 2013, and 2013 world athlete of the year, was followed home by Natasha Morrison in 11.03. Veronica Campbell-Brown was third in 11.06 and Sherone Simpson took the last spot on the team in fourth with 11.14.
Asafa Powell confirmed he is good shape with a 100m win in 9.84 (0.9m/s) and equalled his best of the season for his sixth national title.
Nickel Ashmeade was second in 9.91 with, in the absence of 2013 world champion Usain Bolt, Kemar Bailey-Cole getting the last spot on the Beijing-bound team with third in 9.97, just edging out Nesta Carter who was fourth in 9.98.
Yohan Blake, the 2011 world champion, is still far short of full fitness and did not make it out of the semi-finals.
In the women’s 800m, the top two both ran faster than two minutes and got personal bests, Natoya Goule triumphing in 1:59.63 with Simoya Campbell second in 1:59.92.
The final day on Sunday saw head-winds which slowed the times in many of the sprints.
Ashmeade won the 200m with 20.36 into -2.6m/s breeze while Warren Weir was second in 20.39.
Thompson defies wind resistance
In the women's 200m, Elaine Thompson posted the outstanding time of 22.51 considering she was running into a -2.4m/s wind. Simpson was second in 22.77 and Campbell-Brown third in 23.02.
Danielle Williams won the 100m hurdles in 12.71 (-1.1m/s).
Christine Day equalled her best of 50.16 in taking the 400m title, having run the fastest time by a Jamaican this year when she won her semi-final in 50.38 on Saturday, coming home ahead of Sherika Jackson, who clocked a personal best of 50.31. Stephenie Ann McPherson took third in 50.49.
Javon Francis clocked 44.70 to win the men’s 400m ahead of Rusheen McDonald, who as second in 44.73.
Among the field event winners on Sunday were O'Dayne Richards, who took the men’s shot put with 20.13m, while Kimberly Williams bounded out to 14.34m (1.9m/s) to take the triple jump title.
On Saturday, the men’s long jump was won by Damar Forbes with 7.98m while Fedrick Dacres took the discus honours with 63.23m. Discus world leader Jason Morgan, who set a national record of 68.19m earlier this month, was some way short of that form and had to settle for second with 61.89m.
In the 400m hurdles finals on Friday, Janieve Russell clocked 55.10 to win from Shevon Stoddart, who was second in 55.29, while Annsert Whyte won the men’s title in 48.90 with Roxroy Cato second in 49.09.
Phil Minshull for the IAAF
