Top stars for Racers Grand Prix
A REMATCH between Commonwealth Games women’s 200 metres gold medallist Shaunae Miller-Uibo of the Bahamas and silver medal winner, Jamaica’s Shericka Jackson, will be one of the highlights of the third staging of the Racers Grand Prix which is scheduled for June 9 at the National Stadium.
Speaking at the launch of this year’s meet at the Jamaica Pegasus yesterday, president of Racers track club, Glenn Mills said:
“We will have a very pulsating and exciting three hours of competition this year and we will have some significant close races with top class athletes. We have quite a number of Olympians, world record holders. In the 200m, we have the Commonwealth [Games] gold medallist, Shaunae Miller- Uibo and Shericka Jackson who is the Commonwealth Games silver medallist.”
At the Commonwealth Games, Miller-Uibo won in a meet record 22.09 seconds while Jackson was second in a personal best 22.18.
FRIENDLY RIVALRY
The 110m hurdles will also feature a rematch of the recently concluded Commonwealth Games as gold and silver medallists Ronald Levy and Hansle Parchment continue their friendly rivalry. Americans Aries Merritt, who is the World record holder in the event, and Jerret Eaton, the World Indoor silver medallist, should also add some heat to the race.
Yohan Blake will be looking to win over the Jamaican fans back again when he lines up in the men’s 100m. The race will also feature his training partner, Kemar Bailey-Cole, who has been out with injury since last June. But the Jamaicans will have to contend with locally trained British athletes, Zharnel Hughes and, Miguel Francis, who are ready to take their places as major competitors in the 100m.
In the women’s equivalent, 2017 IAAF world champion Tori Bowie will battle with Commonwealth silver medallist Christania Williams. Also confirmed for the race are Candice Hill of the USA, Kelly-Ann Baptiste of Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica’s Romona Burchell.
Fred Kerley, the uprising American star quarter-miler, and Jovan Francis are slated to bring the excitement in the discipline. Karabo Sibanda, the young Botswanan quarter-miler who has a personal best of 44.25, will also be in the race, along with national record holder Rusheen McDonald and Demish Gaye.
In the women’s 400m, Commonwealth Games silver and bronze medalists Anastasia Le-Roy and Stephenie Ann McPherson will take on Americans Francina McCorory and Natasha Hastings.
The women’s 400m hurdles is also billed to excite spectators as freshly crowned Commonwealth Games champion, Janieve Russell, will be looking to make a statement to her more seasoned fellow competitors, which will include Kaliese Spencer, and world championships Bronze medallists Ristananna Tracey. Americans, Ashley Spencer and Cassandra Tate will round out the field.