Thaindian News

Berlin, Sep 12 (IANS/CMC) World champions Yohan Blake and Kirani James led four young Caribbean athletes with notable victories at the International Stadium Festival meet here Sunday to enhance their growing reputations.

Jamaican Blake and Grenadian James comfortably won their pet events to continue their impressive form, along with the Trinidad and Tobago pair of Kelly-Ann Baptiste and Jehue Gordon at the IAAF World Challenge meet at the Olympic Stadium.

Blake, the newly-minted World 100 metres champion, ran a personal best of 9.82 seconds for the second time in three days.

He also shattered the previous stadium record of 9.86 secs held jointly by compatriot Asafa Powell (2006) and American sprint legend Maurice Greene (2000).

“There were some very good guys in this field, so it was not easy to win,” said Blake. “It is a wonderful feeling to get the win.

“It pushed me to run faster, maybe in the next race. Life changed a bit after the World Championships. The fans are cheering loudly for me, and that is something new for me.”

Former World champion Kim Collins of St. Kitts and Nevis ran a season’s best time of 10.01 to finish runner-up ahead of T&T;’s Richard Thompson (10.08).

James ended his season on a high note, taking the 400 in 45.33. It was his fourth straight victory since the first week in August, when he made his maiden professional appearance.

“I was a little bit tired because of the travelling this week,” said Blake. “My goal was just to run, and to put on a great show for the fans.

“I tried to control the race, and wanted to have a good finish. It worked. But the main thing was to put on a great show. I am done for this season. I have to go back to school (University of Alabama in the United States).”

Nery Brenes of Costa Rica finished second in 45.62, and Rondell Bartholomew, another quarter-miler from Grenada, grabbed third in 45.82.

In the women’s 100, there was a sweep of the top positions by Caribbean athletes with Baptiste taking command at the mid-point, and running away from the field for a time of 11.15, followed by a string of Jamaicans.

Sherone Simpson was second (11.24), Kerron Stewart third (11.28), and Aleen Bailey, sister of dancehall reggae star Capleton, came in fourth at 11.37.

Promising hurdler Jehue Gordon made up - a little bit - for his disappointing appearance at the World Championships with a sound victory in the 400 hurdles.

In the lead after the first 100 metres, he stretched his lead over the rest of the distance, crossing the line in a season’s best time of 48.66.

Trevor Barry of the Bahamas was the only other Caribbean athlete to make it to the podium, clearing 2.30 metres to finish runner-up to American Jesse Williams in the men’s high jump.

–IANS/CMC
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