By Anthony Foster, TrackAlerts.Com Writer
Asafa Powell and Yohan Blake will meet again in the semi-final of the men’s 100m on Friday evening at Jamaica Senior Athletics Championships.
Both Powell, the former 100m record holder at 9.74, and former world champion Blake, the second fastest man in history at 9.69, met on Thursday in the quarterfinals.
Powell, who got a very good start and had time to ease across the line in 9.98, beat Blake, who had to work extra hard after he stumbled out of the blocks, for second in 10.24.
In semi-final 1, which is far more competitive than the other, Powell will run from lane five and Blake six.
Powell, despite his easy but dominant performance, is prepared for stiff competition on Friday.
“Tomorrow is going to be a bit more competitive, so I’m just taking it one step at a time,” he said.
Blake, who is recovering from injury, said he’s going to do “much better” on Friday.
“I am working and everything is going according to plan. Mentally I’m getting there, but physically I am ready,” he said.
Nesta Carter, Kemarley Brown, Kimmari Roach, Andrew Fisher, Michael Frater and Jason Livermore are the other athletes down for semi-final 1.
In semi-final 2, Kemar Bailey-Cole (10.05) and Nickel Ashmeade (10.12) will battle. Both won their respective quarterfinals on Thursday.
Also in this semi-final will be Bernardo Brady, Oshane Bailey, Sheldon Mitchell, Dexter Lee, Tyquendo Tracey and Jevaughn Minzie.
In the women’s 100m prelims, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, the world leader at 10.82, along with Kerron Stewart and Chanice Bonner start in heat 1/3.
In heat 2, Veronica Campbell-Brown, Schillonie Calvert and Jonielle Smith are the ones to watch while Sherone Simpson, Natasha Morrison and Samantha Henry-Robinson face the starter in heat 3.
The final of both races are set for 9:00 pm and 9:15pm.
