Source: www.guardian.co.tt
By Clayton Clarke
Sprinter Richard Thompson gave fans their money’s worth with a national record run of 9.85 seconds in taking the men’s 100m in Sagicor Open National Track and Field Championships at the Hasely Crawford, Mucurapo last night. The double Olympic silver medallist, got a rocket start from lane six and took an early lead. At sixty metres out he pulled away to capture his third straight national crown (wind reading of 1.0 metre per second). Keston Bledman was runner-up for the second straight year in 10.06 seconds with Aaron Armstrong (10.07), Marc Burns (10.09), Emmanuel Callender (10.12), Darryl Brown (10.13) and Rondel Sorillo (10.17) as the top seven all ran under the IAAF ‘A’ qualifying standard of 10.18.
Armstrong, Burns, Callender and Sorillo also set season’s best times with Sorillo clocking also a life time best. Teenager Jamol James was eighth in 11.02. In the qualifying round earlier Thompson cruised to victory in the first heat in a pedestrian 10.40 seconds while Brown took the second in a casual 10.56. Bledman sauntered to the victory in the third in 10.53 while Callender was pushed into the fourth by Sorillo (10.16 to 10.33) as both advanced. Burns captured the first in a tussle with Armstrong (10.18 to 10.19), with Jamol grabbing the last qualifying spot in third in 10.43.
Thompson’s time lowered the previous national mark of 9.86 seconds held by quadruple Olympic medallist Ato Boldon (twice in 1998 on April 6 and June 17 and twice in 1999 on June 16 and July 17). Thompson said she was surprised about his time. “I know I felt good before the race and I was ready to dip under ten seconds, however 9.85 was beyond what I expected. I am just thankful for it.” Thompson said before he was not going for the time which may have helped him to be relaxed. “When you go into a race to have fun you sometime do your best and I broke the national record.” The Cascade resident was quick to pay tribute to Boldon. “I want to thank him. He still give me advice and he has paved the way for us to do what we are doing today so kudos to him. We love and respect him.”
Earlier Semoy Hackett took the ladies crown in a wind assisted 11.00 seconds. The 22-year-old pulled away from the field to take the victory. The time is not a personal best for her as the wind reading was 2.2, just over the allowable limit of 2.0. Hackett took an early lead and held off teenagers Kai Selvon and Michelle Lee Ahye (11.19 and 11.20). Veteran Ayanna Hutchison was fourth (11.30) with Reyare Thomas (11.59), Shu-Shauna Mason (11.53) and Kamaria Durant (11.98) behind. The victory is the first for the former Bishop High School student after finishing third in 2008, second in 2009 and 2010. In the heat Hackett was the quickest in preliminaries taking heat two in 11.35 ahead of Selvon (11.43), Hutchinson (11.63) and Mason (12.09). Lee Ahye took the first heat in 11.47 from Thomas (11.53) and Springer (11.82) and Durant (12.01).
Renny Quow took the men’s 400m finals in 45.81. The reigning World 400m bronze medallist made his move at the 200m mark and pulled away to capture his fifth national one lap crown ahead of Jarrin Solomon (46.40) and defending champion Zwede Hewitt (46.61). Jovon Toppin was fourth (47.34) with Dan-Neil Telesford (47.52) and Deverne Charles (48.01). Quow advanced to finals taking the second heat in the prelims in 47.19 ahead of Hewitt (47.45, Deon Lendore (48.12), Telesford (48.19) and Charles (48.42). Solomon was the fastest going into the finals topping heat one in 46.77 with Toppin (47.34) and Justin Maloney (48.43). Afiya Walker captured the ladies race in 54.48 ahead of Magnolia Howell (55.15). National record holder Ayanna Alexander triumphed in the women’s triple jump in 13.64 metres while Quincy Wilson won the men’s shot put in 16.10m ahead of powerlifter and visually impaired Carlos Greene (10.45) and Akil George (9.98).