Thompson, Blake grab wins at Invitational
KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – Reigning Olympic champion, Elaine Thompson, extended her unbeaten start to the new season when she posted the joint fastest time this year in capturing the 200 metres at the Jamaica Invitational here Saturday night.
The 24-year-old Jamaican stopped the clock at 22.09 seconds to finish ahead of countrywoman and World and Olympic 400m bronze medallist, Shericka Jackson in 22.61.
American Shalonda Solomon trailed in third in a time of 22.64 seconds.
Thompson burst from the blocks in lane five to storm through the first 100 metres and enter the strait with a healthy advantage,
She then produced her now familiar robust late race acceleration to win easily.
“My race plan was to get off the corner as early as possible and then control my race and take it from there,” said Thompson, who swept both sprints at last year’s Rio Olympics.
“It’s all about winning and perfecting the technique and execution.”
Trinidadian Hackett was 22.87.
Yohan Blake, meanwhile, produced a seasonbest 9.93 seconds to easily win the men’s 100 metres, ahead of the American pair of Ronnie Baker (9.98) and Mike Rodgers (10.02).
The Jamaican duo of
Semoy fourth in Nesta Carter and Tyquendo Tracey, in lanes one and two respectively, had great starts but Blake, in lane three, powered through to take command after 50 metres.
Baker and Rodgers went with him and was nipping at his heels at the finish.
“This is my first 100 metres of the season and to run 9.93 seconds is great,” Blake said.
Jamaican Novlene Williams-Mills also shone on at the National Stadium, producing a solid run to win the women’s 400 metres in 50.54, finishing ahead of the American pair of Phyllis Francis (50.66) and Natasha Hastings (51.20).