by Larry Eder
Rose Mary Almanza, photo by PhotoRun.net
WL in 800 m, Culson beaten
PONCE (PUR, May 23): The Ponce Grand Prix was highlighted by the first sub two minute 800m of the year for women. Rose Mary Almanza won in a world leading 1:59.35, with fellow Cuban Sahily Diago also going sub two (1:59.91). In third, Jamaica’s Simoya Campbell ran a PB of 2:01.59. In the men’s 400m, Michel Cedenio (44.97) was a clear winner over World champion Lashawn Merritt (45.42). Further back in the field were Luguelin Santos (46.19) and Jeremy Wariner (46.22). Local hero Javier Culson suffered a rare defeat here over 400mH. Jeffery Gibson of the Bahamas ran 49.19, relegating Culson to second (49.31). In the men’s 110mH, former world champion Jason Richardson (13.34, -0.8) beat Cuba’s Yordin O’Farril (13.35). In the men’s 800m, Charles Jock of the USA (1:45.40) beat Rafith Rodriguez of Colombia (1:45.53). World medallist Nick Symmonds ran 1:46.37. Jessica Young won the women’s 100m (11.38, -0.2) with Keston Bledman (10.17, -0.8), Harry Adams (10.253) and Antoine Adams (10.254) the top men. The top two in the women’s long jump were Yariadamis Arguelles (6.66, 0.9) and Bianca Stuart (659, 0.5). In the men’s triple jump, Yordany Duranona of Dominica (16.73, 0.0) got the better of the US pair of Chris Carter (16.57, 0.3) and Omar Craddock 16.56 (-0.5).
