Jamaica Gleaner

Forbes hits top form in 60m at Queen’s meet

- Raymond Graham/ Gleaner Writer

WORLD CHAMPIONSH­IPS representa­tive Shashalee Forbes was in spanking form over 60 metres at the Queen’s /Grace Jackson Invitation­al meet on Saturday at the National Stadium.

The Maurice Wilson-coached athlete romped to victory in a world-leading 7.03 seconds. Coming off a win in the event a week earlier at the Central Hurdles and Relay meet in 7.14, the SprinTec athlete executed a well -run race to win in convincing style as Briana Williams of Dynamic Athletics Track Club was left back in second place in a season’s best 7.11, with Tia Clayton of MVP Track Club third in a personal-best 7.18.

Forbes ’winning time surpassed the previous world best of 7.04 set earlier in the day by Polish star Ewa Swoboda at the Orlen Cup, a World Athletics Indoor Tour bronze meeting in Lodz, Poland.

“It was a great run,” said Forbes. “I had a shaky start but I maintained focus, which was very good, and equalled my personal best.”

With the World I ndoor Championsh­ips set for March 1-3 in Glasgow, Scotland, she is eyeing a spot on the national team for the championsh­ips.

“The win means that I am in good shape and I am healthy, and hopefully, I make the cut for the World Indoor Championsh­ips,” said Forbes.

Running in the penultimat­e heat in the men’s 60m, Dynamics Athletics Track Club’s Ackeem Blake clocked 6.49 to top the event. Former Edwin Allen High star Brian Levell, representi­ng Uptimum Performanc­e Track Club, was second in 6.59, while Emre Barnes of Turkey, representi­ng Elite Performanc­e Track Club , won his heat in 6.60 for third overall.

 ?? IAN ALLEN/PHOTOGRAPH­ER ?? Shashalee Forbes (left) wins the women’s 60 metres in 7.03 seconds at the Queens/Grace Jackson Invitation­al meet at the National Stadium on Saturday. Sada Williams (right) was eighth.
IAN ALLEN/PHOTOGRAPH­ER Shashalee Forbes (left) wins the women’s 60 metres in 7.03 seconds at the Queens/Grace Jackson Invitation­al meet at the National Stadium on Saturday. Sada Williams (right) was eighth.

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