Bolt, SFP deliver at Racers Grand Prix

The thousands of fans who crammed inside the National Stadium on Saturday to witness the first JN Racers Grand Prix meet got their money's worth.

Over three hours they were entertained with high-class performances from some of the top athletes in the world.

Undoubtedly, the men's 100 metres drew most attention. For the first time in more than three years, the world's most outstanding figure in the sport, Usain Bolt, was down to compete in a high-quality field, which included Asafa Powell, Yohan Bake, Nickel Ashmeade, and Kemar Bailey-Cole.

After two sub-par performances earlier this season - 10.05 seconds in the Cayman Islands and 9.98 in Ostrava, many in the crowd harboured thoughts of Bolt losing his first 100m in years.

Bolt, however, once again proved that when it comes to the big stage he will deliver, and that he did.

RECOVERED

Despite stumbling at the start of the race, Bolt recovered at the 60m mark to get by leader Powell and even had time to ease up in the final 10m to win in a season's best 9.88 seconds, the second fastest time in the world this year.

It was a bang up finish for the remaining places as Ashmeade had a season best 9.94 seconds for second ahead of Blake with a similar time and Powell fourth in 9.98 seconds.

World and Olympic 100 metres champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce showed that her form is good, in winning the women's 100 metres.

After trailing in at the back of the field just over two weeks ago at the Prefontaine Diamond League meet in the United States, Fraser-Pryce romped to victory in 11.09 seconds.

The Jamaican beat World Indoor 60m champion, Barbara Pierre of the United States (11.11) and Trinidad and Tobago's Kelly-Ann Baptiste, who finished third in 11.15. Former World champion, Carmelita Jeter of the US, continued her struggle with a sixth-place finish 11.28.

Fraser-Pryce, who was competing in her second 100m this season owing to a toe injury, was pleased with her performance.

"The toe injury has been a setback for me in a trying season so far, but thank God I was able to finish and win the race. It is an honour to come and perform before my fans and I am more than pleased as I just wanted to have a good run," she said.

"I have not run many races all season and it is not that easy to come and perform at your best when you are race rusty, but tonight I was able to give of my best, " added Fraser-Pryce.