Thompson completes sprint double as false-start controversy marred meet

Olympic champion Elaine Thompson completed the sprint double at the National Senior Championships yesterday after she won the 200m in a world-leading time of 22.00 seconds, but the meet was marred by another false-start controversy.

The women’s 100m hurdles was abandoned after a lengthy protest, which involved former World champion Danielle Williams and another recall of the race for unclear reasons.

After Williams left the track, the race was called back a second time as Shimarya Williams did not move at the sound of the gun.

It was reported that the race was scrapped as several of the competitors picked up injuries in the attempt.

Thompson won the 100m on Friday night in a close race with Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, where both of them were awarded times of 10.73 seconds.

And last night, she got the better of Fraser-Pryce again who finished second in 22.22 seconds, while Schillonie Calvert- Powell grabbed the third place spot in 22.96 seconds.

“To come out here and get another title is a wonderful feeling. As an Olympic champion, you have to compete like one,” she said.

Rasheed Dwyer upstaged Yohan Blake in the men’s equivalent in 20.23 seconds. Blake registered 20.27 seconds, while Andre Ewers finished third in 20.48 seconds.

Olympic bronze medallist Shericka Jackson produced a lifetime best performance to win the women’s 400 metres. The former Vere Technical standout, who came into the Championships with a personal best of 49.83, stopped the clock at 49.78 seconds to win her third national title.

Personal best

“The aim was to get the best race execution possible and I think I did that and I got a personal best so I am happy,” Jackson said after the race. “I am a bit surprised because I sustained a slight cramp at the Rome Diamond league so I was a little bit worried.”

Veterans Anastasia Le-Roy and Stephenie Ann McPherson rounded out the top three with times of 50.94 and 51.01 seconds, respectively.

Demish Gaye, who finished sixth at the last World Championships, cruised to his first national title in a season’s best of 44.83 seconds.

Racers Track Club’s Terry Thomas finished second in 45.47 seconds to put himself in contention to make his first senior team, as he has not met the qualifying mark of 45.30.

Javon Francis, who finished third in the race in 45.60, also has not run the qualifying mark as yet.

Former Commonwealth Games champion, O’Dayne Richards, won his sixth straight national title in the men’s shot put. The St George’s College old boy produced 19.93 to win the event. Ashinia Miller threw 19.25 for second, while Kyle Mitchell grabbed the third place spot in 18.53 seconds.

Shanieka Ricketts retained her title in the women’s triple jump as she leaped to 14.73 metres. Commonwealth Games champion Kimberly Williams finished second in 14.39, and Shardia Lawrence rounded out the top three with 13.83 metres.