By Sean Garrity, TrackAlerts.Com Writer 

KINGSTON, Jamaica – The National Stadium in Kingston Jamaica kept a buzz with the running of the Jamaica International Invitational. The evening got off to meeting records and world leads, and as they got into action for the second half of the night, nothing less was delivered. 

Sanya Richards Ross 49.95 (WL) and Francena MaCorory 50.73 had a battle royal in the women’s 400m. Richards-Ross running on the outside went out hard and was challenged by MaCorory down the straightaway.  Jamaica’s Stephanie McPherson 50.98 and Novelene Williams Mills 51.32 had to settle for 3rd and 4th.

The final event of the meeting the- men's 400m, which was highly anticipated with the likes of Lashawn Merritt (USA), Javon Francis (JAM), and Yousef Masral (Saudi Arabia) lived up to its expectation in front of an almost capacity crowd. Javon Francis, running out of lane 2, went out hard with a 20.90 to the 200m to end with 44.90 PB. Merritt 44.80 showed his class in the early stages, making a claim on the race but on the straight away it was all Youseff Masral Saudi Arabia 44.59 who took the top prize of US$5k. Masral ran a very composed race and struck at the right time.

Aleec Harris with a 13.16sec in the 110H sent a clear message to his rivals that he will be one to watch on the back to back world Championship and Olympic season. 

Jasmin Stowers (USA) took first place in the 100mH with a swift 12.39sec. Jamaica’s Danielle Williams 12.77 and Shermaine Williams 12.89 for 2nd and 3rd respectively. 

“I am very pleased with my time” Stowers said in her post race interview. 

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce 22.39 SB, was happy with her time, in a race won by Shaune Miller (BAH) in a time of 22.14sec, a new Bahamian record. American Tori Bowie 22.29 took the 2nd place spot.

The men's 200m belong to Diamond League Champion Nickel Ashmeade 20.25 (JAM), who got the better of challengers Rasheed Dwyer (JAM) 20.28 and Aaron Brown (CAN) 20.30. Tyson Gay, who was scheduled to run was absent. 

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here