Strong headwinds did not allow for faster times at the Jamaica International Invitational (IAAF World Challenge) meet, held at the National Stadium in Kingston, Jamaica.
One of the two world leading marks of the day came in the men’s shot put, as Christian Cantwell achieved 21.85 in his return debut outing, after being sidelined with injuries.
The second world lead of the day, came in the women’s 400 m, as US Francena McCorory clocked 50.24.
Three meet records were registered, one in the shot put, the women’s 3000m and the pole vault.
Justin Gatlin beat a quartet of Jamaicans with a 10.11 run (-1.9w) in the 100m’s. The Jamaicans were headed surprisingly by Andrew Fisher 10.21, Nesta Carter 10.22, then Warren Weir 10.30 (Walter Dix came 7th 10.45).
The Dominican Republic celebrated two wins. Luguelin Santos dipped at the finish-line over World Champion LaShawn Merritt in the 400 m (44.82 to 44.86) with Youssef Al-Masrahi third in 44.96 and Tony McQuay fourth 45.16.
"He ran a great race today and I have to give that to him. No disappointment for me. I think I ran a little bit too conservative," commented Merritt.
The same kind of win played out in the 400m hurdles as Felix Sanchez with 49.21, beat World Champion Jehue Gordon 49.32.
Jamaican record holder Hansle Parchment scored another hurdles win in 13.42 (-2.2) over Ryan Wilson 13.45 and Andrew Riley 13.56.
Jamaican O´Dayne Richards improved to 21.11, a personal best, just ahead of Kurt Roberts 21.07 and former World champion Reese Hoffa 20.61.
Olympic medalist Will Claye won the windy long jump 8.19 (+2.1) beating other US jumpers Mike Hartfield 8.17 (+2.7) and Mikese Morse 808 (+3.2). Another US win came in the tactical 1500m race for Will Leer 3:41.31; and in the 200m, Rasheed Dwyer in 20.53 (+0.3) edged out by 0.01 secs, World medalist Curtis Mitchell 20.54 in his season opener.
Triple World champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce won the women’s 200m in 22.53 (+0.2) over US specialists Kimberlyn Duncan 22.61 and Jeneba Tarmoh 22.69. Jamaican Anneisha McLaughlin finished fourth 22.72.
"Tonight was just to see where I am. I am happy that I ended healthy and now looking forward to my next race," said Fraser-Pryce.
Nigerian star Blessing Okagbare topped the women’s 100m in 11.19 (-1.7) ahead of Kerron Stewart 11.32 and Carrie Russell 11.46.
Behind McCorory to note in the 400m were Jamaicans Stephanie McPherson 50.58, Novlene Williams-Mills 50.90 and hurdler Kaliese Spencer 51.22.
Olympic champion Sanya Richards-Ross, who missed the 2013 season, returned with 51.62 for 5th.
Last year NCAA Champion Kori Carter in her season opener just missed the world lead by 0.02 in the women’s 400m hurdles. Her time 54.94secs to beat Jamaicans Ristananna Tracey 55.12 and Nickiesha Wilson 55.61.
Briton Tiffany Porter topped the hurdles 12.92 (-1.6), Serbian Amela Terzic was the unusual European winner here in the 3000m 9:41.12 ahead of US Gabrielle Grunewald 9:42.88. American Kylie Hutson won the pole vault 4.50m while it took 59.96m from Gia Lewis-Smallwood to take the discus throw.