KINGSTON, Jamaica — Olympic champion Elaine Thompson blasted to a world-leading time of 10.71 seconds to win the women’s 100m title at the Jamaica Trials at the National Stadium on Friday night.
Thompson, who was the Diamond League 100m champion from last season, which earned her a spot on the Jamaican team to the IAAF World Championships in London, later this summer, impressively pulled away from the field to set a new season best.
It was also the second time the 24-year-old, who successfully defended her national title, was running below 10.80 seconds in the 100m this season.
Prior to her time on Friday night, Thompson, who won the Olympic Games 100m and 200m sprint double in Rio last summer, led the world with a time of 10.78 seconds.
The time last night, was just off her personal best of 10.70 seconds, and the Stephen Francis coached sprinter is looking forward to the rest of the year.
Asked how much faster she expects to go this campaign, Thompson said: “I’m just gonna taking it day-by-day and race-by-race.”
Following Thompson to the finishing line was a fast closing Simone Facey, the 2016 Olympic 4x100m relay silver medallist, who dipped at the line for second in a new season’s best of 11.04.
Jura Levy ran 11.06 secs for third, while training partner Natasha Morrison, rounding back into good form this season, completed the World Championships team with a fourth place finish in 11.09.
Defending world champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce didn’t take part, as she is currently expecting a baby.
Meanwhile, with Usain Bolt opting to skip the Jamaica Trials to concentrate on his preparations for his last season, his training partner Yohan Blake continued his comeback from injury by winning the national title for the second successive season.
Blake, the 2011 world champion eased home in a season’s best time of 9.90 seconds, his fastest time since 2012.
Julian Forte finished in 10.04 for second place, while Senoj-Jay Givans closed like a bullet to grab third in 10.05.
Asafa Powell, who aggravated an achilles injury in the semifinals, experiencing considerable pain, was a no show for the final.
Jaheel Hyde won the 400m hurdles in 48.53 over Kemar Mowatt 48.53 and veteran Ricardo Cunningham at age of 36 improving to 48.83.
In women 400m hurdles, surprise win for Rhonda Whyte 54.29 PB ahead of Ristanana Tracey 54.49 and Leah Nugent 54.54.
Janieve Russell, who was one of three Jamaicans in the Rio Olympic final, failed to advance with 55.34.
Kemoy Campbell won the 5000m in 13:53.61, Jessica Noble long jump 6.46m PB (-0.3m/s wind) and Kellion Knibb 62.73 discus Jamaican record.
Demish Gaye 46.05 and Shericka Jackson 51.01 were the fastest in the men’s and women’s 400m heats.
