Sunday, August 14, 2011

Thompson clocks 9.85 national record in Port-of-Spain – Trinidad and Tobago champs, Day 1

Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago - Richard “Torpedo” Thompson is the fastest Trinidad and Tobago sprinter in history!

The 26-year-old track star shot to the top of the all-time list with a 9.85 seconds scorcher in the men’s 100m final, on day one of the Sagicor National Open Track and Field Championships, at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, in Port of Spain, on Saturday (13).

Ato Boldon’s 9.86 seconds national record was in the books since 1998. But on Saturday, Thompson set a new standard, completing a hat-trick of National Championship victories with a dominant performance.

Keston Bledman snapped up silver in 10.06, finishing just ahead of Aaron Armstrong (10.07). Marc Burns (10.09), Emmanuel Callender (10.12), Darrel Brown (10.13) and Rondel Sorrillo (10.17) were fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh, respectively.

Thanks to his 9.85 sizzler, Thompson is now joint-fourth on the 2011 world list, with American Mike Rodgers, and joint-ninth on the all-time list, with Americans Justin Gatlin, Leroy Burrell and Rodgers, and Nigerian Olasuji Fasuba.

Thompson’s clocking is also a new Championship record, as well as a stadium record.

Thompson started well, and by the time he reached the 60-metre mark, gold was guaranteed. When the time showed up on the clock, the 6000-plus spectators erupted, and an exultant “Torpedo” threw his shades into the stands.

“The national record was not the goal coming into the race today, but I’m very glad I was able to achieve it.”

Thompson’s primary objective was qualifying for the August 27-September 4 World Championships, in Daegu, Korea, by finishing in the top three.

“This is just a bonus. Sometimes in life, when you’re trying too hard you’re not able to accomplish it. That was the case in the past. I was trying too hard to get under 10 seconds, and this weekend, when I was most relaxed, I was able to achieve it. I’m just thankful to God, family, friends and fans for coming out to support. I was able to feed off the energy from the crowd.”

“I knew, coming into the race, Bledman was going to be my main competition. When I reached 60, and I was ahead of him, I knew I had him.”

With the World Championships just two weeks away, the double Olympic silver medallist did not want to compete this weekend. He applied for an exemption, but was turned down by the National Association of Athletics Administrations (NAAA).

“God does everything for a reason. If I didn’t come home this weekend I would not have gotten the national record this weekend. I’m thankful for the 9.85, and most of all, coming out injury free and qualifying for Daegu.”

Semoy Hackett clocked a wind-assisted 11.00 seconds to capture the women’s 100m title. Teenagers Kai Selvon (11.19) and Michelle-Lee Ahye (11.20) finished second and third, respectively.

And Renny Quow underlined his class with a comfortable victory in the men’s 400m final. The World Championship bronze medallist got home in 45.89 seconds.

Kwame Laurence (Trinidad Express) for the IAAF

DAY 1 RESULTS

Men's 100m (wind: +1.0)

1 Richard Thompson (Rebirth) 9.85

2 Keston Bledman (Simplex) 10.06

3 Aaron Armstrong (Rebirth) 10.07

Women's 100m (wind: +2.2)

1 Semoy Hackett (Zenith) 11.00

2 Kai Selvon (unattached) 11.19

3 Michelle-Lee Ahye (Concorde) 11.20

Men's invitational 100m (wind: +2.2)

1 Miguel Lopez (Puerto Rico) 10.31

2 Geronimo Goeloe (Aruba) 10.36

3 Justin Gooding (Barbados) 10.36

Women's invitational 100m (wind: +2.0)

1 Tameka Williams (St Kitts & Nevis) 11.52

2 Virgil Hodge (St Kitts & Nevis) 11.54

3 Davanna Claxton (St Kitts & Nevis) 12.22

Men's 400m

1 Renny Quow (Zenith) 45.89

2 Jarrin Solomon (Memphis) 46.40

3 Zwede Hewitt (Rebirth) 46.61

Women's 400m

1 Afiya Walker (Burnley) 54.48

2 Magnolia Howell (unattached) 55.15

3 Kineke Alexander (St Vincent) 55.97

Men's invitational 400m

1 Oral Thompson (Jamaica) 46.17

2 Marvin Lewis (Liberia) 47.02

Men's 1500m

1 Jules La Rode (Penal AC) 4:07.70

2 Mark London (Zenith) 4:09.05

3 Matthew Hagley (Defence Force) 4:10.93

Women's 1500m

1 Pilar McShine (Success) 4:29.29

2 Dawnel Collymore (Memphis) 4:52.52

Men's 110m hurdles (wind: +0.9)

1 Richard Phillips (Jamaica) 13.61

2 Ronald Forbes (Cayman Islands) 13.81m

3 Hector Cotto (Puerto Rico) 13.96

Men's long jump

1 Carlos Morgan (Cayman Islands) 7.54m (wind: +0.1)

2 Carl Morgan (Cayman Islands) 7.51m (wind: +1.8)

3 Dwaine Herbert (Dovers) 7.28m (wind: +1.1)

Women’s triple jump

1 Ayanna Alexander (unattached) 13.64m (wind: -1.0)

2 Essence Mayers (Rebirth) 12.34m (wind: +1.3)

Men's shot put

1 Quincy Wilson (Health Olympians) 16.10m

2 Carlos Greene (UTT Fast Track) 10.45m

3 Akil George (Eastonians) 9.98m

Women's discus

1 Annie Alexander (Burnley) 54.29m

2 Sharisse Downey (Burnley) 39.89m

3 Shaunna Downey (Burnley) 39.15m

Men’s javelin

1 Justin Cummins (Barbados) 68.69m

2 Precious George (Warriors AC) 41.61m

3  Nicholas Blackford (Eastonians) 40.70m