by Alfonz Juck
Elaine Thompson, photo by PhotoRun.net
Thompson 10.71 with +2.4
KINGSTON (JAM, May 7): Jamaican Elaine Thompson ran one of the fastest 100m times in history at the Jamaica International Invitational (IAAF World Challenge). Marginally wind assisted at 2.4 m/s, Thompson stopped the clock at 10.71 for the joint fastest time in all conditions set in May. English Gardner was second in 10.85 ahead of Michelle-Lee Ahye (10.98) and Jenna Prandini (11.08). With Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce a late scratch, Shaunae Miller dominated the 200m with another marginally wind-assisted 22.14 (+2.2). The men’s sprints were wind legal: Kemar Bailey-Cole won the 100m in 10.01 (+1.0) ahead of Mike Rodgers (10.03) and Tyson Gay in fifth (10.08) and Kim Collins Masters WR for 40+ category 10.09 while Asafa Powell won the 200m in 20.45 (+0.9). There was also a home win in the men’s 400m courtesy of Javon Francis (44.85) but American Francena McCorory won the women’s race in 50.52 ahead of home favourites Novlene Williams-Mills (50.87), Stephenie-Ann McPherson (51.20) and Christine Day (51.91) with former world and Olympic champion Christine Ohuruogu fifth (52.00). Brianna Rollins won a top-class 100m hurdles in a wind-aided 12.52 (+2.9) ahead of Queen Harrison (12.54) and world champion Danielle Williams (12.55) while Jamaicans Janeive Russell and Ristananna Tracey took a one-two in the 400m hurdles in 54.61 PB (2nd best of 2016) and 55.31 respectively. On the men’s side, Jarret Eaton won the 110m hurdles in 13.45 (+1.9) while world medallist Jeffery Gibson won the 400m hurdles in 48.96 ahead of Jamaican junior Jaheel Hyde (49.16) and Bershawn Jackson (49.29). Other highlights: Wesley Vazquez 1:46.15 to win the 800m, Brittany Smith 18.41m to win the shot put and current world-leader Gwen Berry 73.82m to win the hammer. US junior Alexa Efraimson won the 1500 m in 4:08.37.
