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Powell, fastest Jamaican in 2013

Asafa Powell is the fastest Jamaican in the 100m this year, after clocking a workmanlike 9.88 seconds to finish behind American Tyson Gay at the Lausanne IAAF Diamond League meet yesterday.

The MVP star's effort eclipses Usain Bolt's 9.94 as the fastest time recorded by a Jamaican so far this year.

Powell, dogged by injury and missing out on an automatic spot on Jamaica's team to the IAAF World Championships in Athletics, scheduled for Moscow, produced his best race in months; eagerly stepping out of the blocks before producing good mid-race power, which took him through the line, still behind the fastest man this year, Tyson Gay, who won in 9.79.

Mike Rodgers was third in 9.96 with Jamaicans Nickel Ashmeade and Kemar Bailey-Cole fifth and sixth, respectively, having recorded the same time; 10.05.

Gay aiming at PB, Worlds

In their eighteen starts against each other, this was Gay's 11th time finishing in front of the former 100m world record holder Powell, but the American made it clear that his objective this season is to take top honours in Moscow and lower his 9.69 American record and personal best (PB).

"I haven't set a PB for four years. I'm hoping to do that this year," said the 30-year-old. "It's been a long time since I doubled at a major championships, so it's good to be able to do that again."

Novlene Williams-Mills, who earlier this week came public with her fight against breast cancer, produced another strong run in the women's 400m, finishing strongly from the outside to finish third in 50.87 behind winner Francena McCorory, whose 50.36 gave her a surprise win over world champion Amantle Montsho, 50.37.

One-lap specialist Patricia Hall, 22.77, was fourth in the women's 200m - another event that turned up a surprise.

Ukrainian Mariya Ryemyen, 22.61, got the win over American LaShauntae Moore, 22.67 and US champion Kimberlyn Duncan, 22.73. Carmelita Jeter was way off her best, as she continues to struggle after her recent injury issues, finishing fifth in 22.77.

Rising Jamaican 200m sprinter, Jason Young (20.20), who registered a 19.86 time last year, was caught in the last phase of the race after leading off the curve by Duth sprinter Churandy Martina, 20.01. Jaysuma Saidy Ndure of Norway, 20.40, was third with the second Jamaican in the race, Mario Forsythe, running sixth in 20.75.

It was also rough for former national 110m hurdles record holder Dwight Thomas, who was last across the finish line in 13.59. The event was won by American David Oliver in world leading 13.03 ahead of two of his compatriots, Olympic silver medallist Jason Richardson, 13.20 and Ryan Wilson, 13.27.

Selected results

MEN

100m: 1. Tyson Gay, United States, 9.79 seconds. 2. Asafa Powell, Jamaica, 9.88. 3. Michael Rodgers, United States, 9.96. 4. Kim Collins, St. Kitts and Nevis, 9.97. 5. Nickel Ashmeade, Jamaica, 10.05. 6. Kemar Bailey Cole, Jamaica, 10.05.

200m : 1. Churandy Martina, Netherlands, 20.01. 2. Jason Young, Jamaica, 20.20. 3. Jaisuma Saidy Ndure, Norway, 20.40. 4. James Ellington, Britain, 20.46. 5. Isiah Young, United States, 20.48. 6. Mario Forsythe, Jamaica, 20.75.

WOMEN

200m: 1. Mariya Ryemyen, Ukraine, 22.61. 2. Lashauntea Moore, United States, 22.67. 3. Kimberlyn Duncan, United States, 22.73. 4. Patricia Hall, Jamaica, 22.77. 5. Carmelita Jeter, United States, 22.77. 6. Lauryn Williams, United States, 22.94.

400m: 1. Francena McCorory, United States, 50.36. 2. Amantle Montsho, Botswana, 50.37. 3. Novlene Williams-Mills, Jamaica, 50.87. 4. Christine Ohuruogu, Britain, 51.03. 5. Natasha Hastings, United States, 51.08. 6. Joanna Atkins, United States, 51.41.

Source: Jamaica Gleaner

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