Whyte out, Thompson shines in 100m heats
ANEW champion will be crowned in the men’s 400 metres hurdles on today’s second day of the JAAA National Championships.
Defending champion Annsert Whyte of Racers Track Club failed to advance after finishing fourth in his heat in 50.23 seconds.
Fastest qualifier was NCAA bronze medallist Kemar Mowatt, who won heat one in 49.43. Jaheel Hyde was second fastest after winning heat two in 49.46, while Shawn Rowe won heat three in 49.59 to be the third fastest qualifier.
The other qualifiers for the final, which will be run at 6:20 p.m. today, are Ricardo Campbell (49.54), André Clarke (49.50), Sheldon Williams (49.83) and Javarn Gallimore (50.05).
Defending champion Ristananna Tracy topped the women after winning heat two in 54.56 ahead of Leah Nugent, second in 54.90.
Favourite, Janieve Russell, won heat one in 54.91 ahead of Ronda Whyte, who was second in a personal best time of 54.93 seconds, with third going to Nikita Tracy in 55.01. Kaliese Spencer, who finished fourth in heat one in 55.38, along with Sashel Brown (56.69) and Rushell Clayton (56.61), all advanced.
IMPRESSIVE ELAINE
Olympic champion Elaine Thompson looked very impressive in the women’s 100m after winning her heat in an easy 11.29. Simon Facey, 11.22; Joneille Smith, 11.23; and Sashalee Forbes, 11.34, all won their heats.
Julian Forte, 10.14, advanced to this evening’s 100m semifinals with the fastest time. Odean Skeen won his heat comfortably in 10.17. Other heat winners were Yohan Blake, 10.21, and Asafa Powell, 10.22. There was disappointment for
Kemar Bailey Cole, who pulled up close to the finish line in the heat won by Powell.
In the triple jump, Clive Pullen retained his title after winning with 16.83 metres.
Wilberforce Walker was second with 16.09m, with Clayton Brown third with 15.97m.