by Larry EderUsain Bolt has been one of the players since his World Junior title at the age of 15 in 2002 over 200 meters. Last summer, Bolt took the silver in Osaka at the Worlds, running a fine 19.75.
In front of a crowd of 10,000 Jamaicans, Usain improved from 10.03 to 9.76. Check out the video of his race (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YFE1ctdRc88) and you will notice how ordinary of a race it looks, no fast start, n jumping the gun. In fact, it is in that ordinariness that Bolt, all 6-5 of his , looks tremendous.
Bolt seems to be the man to challenge Tyson Gay ( who ran a fine, relaxed 20.00 for 200 meters), this season. It will be exciting to see Usain Bolt over 200 meters this season with his new personal best.
Word on the street was that Usain’s training has been going quite well, he ran 10.03, tying his personal best, earlier this season.
Also note in the meet that Bianca Knight ran a pb of 11.11 and then came back and won the 200 meters over Veronica Campbell-Brown. Knight is the beneficiary of a strong contract from the folks with three stripes, and she is starting off the season in a very hot fashion.
EME NEWS (MAY 4, 2008) FLASH
Bolt clocks sensational 9.76, in total 5 world leads
KINGSTON (JAM, May 3): Jamaica Invitational meet (part of IAAF area qualifying meets for World Athletics Tour) was again something special. National Stadium and some 10 000 spectators in ideal weather (around 28 degrees) saw five world leading marks headed by Usain Bolt´s second fastest ever 100 m 9.76 (+1.8), clear win by Sanya Richards and unexpected loss of Veronica Campbell-Brown at 200 m.
The 200 m specialist Usain Bolt had before a PB of 10.03 (twice – last year and this year) and reports coming from Jamaica about his excellent shape were confirmed. The world junior record holder and Osaka silver medalist exploded at 8.35 pm local time to unbelievable 9.76 as only Asafa Powell with his world record 9.74 in Rieti last year was ever faster. It was after third start as before Darvis Patton made one too fast and US Gary Jones afterwards also (and was dq). “You never know what could happen,” said Bolt after the race to the question about the possibility to break the world record while dancing and celebrating at the track.
Now the question opens what he would be able to do at 200 m with such a speed (his area record from last year is 19.75). He is since 2002 regarded as one of the biggest talents of the sprints ever holding age world records from 15 till 19 years old at the 200 m. US Relay world champion Darvis Patton was second (10.08) beating Daniel Bailey of Antigua who improved to 10.12 followed by US indoor champion Mike Rodgers (10.12), 200 m world bronze holder Wallace Spearmon (10.13) and former world champion Kim Collins of St. Kitts (10.19).
Also women´s 100 m brought excellent results with first years sub 11 seconds as World relay silver holder Jamaican Kerron Stewart improved to PB of 10.96 (+0.9), second US Marshevet Hooker also improved to 11.01 with Bianca Knight another excellent PB 11.11 (6th on all-time junior list). She later disappointed the crowds with 22.62 (+1.0) 200 m win (her outdoor best, but has 22.40 indoors) over reigning olympic winner at the distance Veronica Campbell-Brown (22.93).
World Champion Kerron Clement opened at 400 m hurdles with excellent world lead 47.79. It his sixth ever sub 48 and first so early in May. Home veteran Danny McFarlane as 36 years old still excellent with 47.74 as second beating US Michael Tinsley (48.84) and Puertorican Javier Culson who clocked new national record 48.87.
Fourth world lead for World Athlete of the Year 2007 Tyson Gay who eased on the line, but still achieved excellent 20 flat (20.00) at 200 m to clearly beat Jamaicans Chris Williams (20.78) and Marvin Anderson (20.88).
Fifth world lead of the evening by former world medalist Lashinda Demus at 400 m Hurdles (54.83).
Relay world champion Sanya Richards had to fight against strong wind in first part of the race and clocked 50.60 to win the 400 m and beat by one second Osaka bronze holder Novlene Williams who opened the season with 51.63.
Solid return to shape by reigning olympic champion at 100 m Hurdles Joanna Hayes who won in 12.72 (+0.2) and missed the world lead only by 0.02. It is her fastest time in last three years. She beat best Jamaican and Osaka medalist Deloreen Ennis-London (12.75) and US Candice Davis (12.80, PB).
Antwon Hicks was again unlucky concerning the wind as his 13.21 110 m Hurdles win was supported by +2.5.
In other events Sanjay Ayre won the 400 m in 45.68, US Jonathan Johnson the 800 m (1:47.51), Hazel Clark the women race (2:02.40), Funmi Jimoh the Long Jump (657, -2.0) with Jovanee Jarrett of Jamaica having the same 657 (-1.8). World leader Jamaican shot putter Dorian Scott pleased the crowd with 20.51 win over US Dan Taylor (20.43). Decathlon world silver holder Maurice Smith opened with 6th place and 16.83.
Kenenisa will run the 5000 m
ADDIS ABABA (ETH): World and olympic winner Kenenisa Bekele will compete today during last day of 16th African Championships unexpectedly at 5000 m. As start lists of the event are confirming he will represent his country with his younger brother Tariku Bekele and Ali Abdosh. Kenyan trio is headed by Isaac Songok. Kenenisa last time ran a championships 5000 m two years ago at African Championships in Mauritius where he won and was expected to compete here at 10 000 m but withdrew close before the race. Initially named at 5000 m were with Tariku Bekele and Abdosh also Markos Geneti and Ibrahim Jeylan.
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