Thompson-herah, Parchment set to shine in Puerto Rico
Olympic gold medallists Elaine Thompson-herah and Hansle parchment highlight a list of almost 30 Jamaicans down to compete at the American Track league’s puerto Rico classic in ponce today.
Thompson-herah, who will be starting in her second 100m race of the season after her 10.89 seconds effort in California on April 16, will face resistance from the likes of Morolake Akinosun, Michelle-lee Ahye, Jenna Prandini, as well as compatriots Natasha Morrison and Natalliah Whyte, but is expected to make light work of the competition in the Francisco Montaner Stadium.
Shockoria Wallace, who has already shown improvement this season, lowering her personal best to 11.15, is the other Jamaican in the event.
Parchment, the 110m hurdles champion from Tokyo 2020, will be looking to improve on his 13.20 seconds season best and will have Damion Thomas and Rasheed Broadbell for company with American Devon Allen — the second-fastest man in the world this year with 13.11 seconds — looking to take his scalp.
The women’s 400m hurdles event will see five Jamaicans, including 2019 World Championships bronze medal winner Rushell Clayton, who is continuing to run herself into form after injury setbacks in 2021, with Olympics finalist Janieve Russell, Shiann Salmon, Rhonda Whyte and Kimisha Chambers all set to face the starter against Americans Cassandra Tate and Ashley Spencer.
Demish Gaye and Sean Bailey will have their work cut out for them in the men’s 400m where Kirani James is expected to dominate despite impressive early-season showings from American Bryce Deadmon, who has clocked 44.81 this year with Will London and Trevor Stewart also going in as potential spoilers.
Olympic finalist Christopher Taylor and Nathon Allen will compete in the 300m, alongside Olympic 400m champion Steven Gardiner from The Bahamas and American Vernon Norwood.
In the women’s long jump, Chanice Porter and Tissanna Hickling will both be looking to improve on their season best marks of 6.31m and 6.60m, respectively, with American Quanesha Burks, who has gone as far as 6.75m this season, likely to have her way in the competition.
The men’s 100m will see four Jamaicans line-up against the likes of Americans Trayvon Bromell and Marvin Bracy, who will both be competing in their first 100m of the season as well as Great Britain’s Zharnel Hughes and Adam Gemili.
Yohan Blake, the 2011 world champion, has only managed a 10.11 season best after six starts in the 100m this season but he will be flying the Jamaican flag in the event alongside Tyquendo Tracey, the improving Ackeem Blake and Nigel Ellis.
Puerto Rico’s Jasmine Camachoquinn, the Olympic 100m hurdles champion and fastest in the event this year with 12.39, will be tested by 2015 world champion Danielle Williams, Tonea Marshall, the second fastest in the world this year with 12.46, and Sharika Nelvis, the US indoor record holder.
O’dayne Richards is also listed to compete in the shot put against American star Ryan Crouser, while Jordan Scott will line up in the triple jump event.