Triumphant 100m start for Fraser-Pryce

Five-time World Championships 100 metres winner Shelly-Ann Fraser Pryce made a winning return to the distance, reminding the field of her capabilities as she prepares to defend her title in Budapest, Hungary, next month.

Fraser-Pryce opened her 100 metres campaign at Spitzen Leichtathletik Meet in Luzern, Switzerland, on Friday, clocking a meet record of 10.82 seconds, ending the long wait for her to start her 100 metres slate. Zoe Hobbs of New Zealand was second in 11.08, and Kennedy Blackmon of the United States of America (USA) third in 11.11. Jamaica's Natasha Morrison was fifth in 11.18 and Briana Williams eighth in 11.35.

It is the latest that Fraser-Pryce has started a 100 metres season in her career, surpassing the July 11 start in 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Having had to push back races in April because of a family emergency and in May because of an injury concern, Fraser-Pryce rewarded those anxious for her to compete at the 100 metres with a strong performance.

Fraser-Pryce's time is the fourth fastest time in the world this year, with only Ivory Coast's Marie Josee Ta Lou, USA's Sha'Carri Richardson, and her compatriot Shericka Jackson running faster.

It was her first 100 metres race since September when she won her fifth Diamond League title in Zurich.

In the B race, Serena Cole was fifth in her second race on the European circuit, clocking 11.31 seconds, while Joinelle Smith was sixth in 11.39.

In the men's 100 metres, Elite Performance's Julian Forte produced his first sub-10 clocking of the season, winning in 9.99 seconds, with national champion Rohan Watson coming second with 10.03. Michael Campbell was fifth in 10.21.

In the men's 400 metres, Rusheen McDonald had another strong outing, clocking 44.80 seconds for victory, with Botswana's Busang Collen Kebinatshipi second in 45.15 and Manuel Sanders of Germany third in 45.28.

Tyler Mason led a Jamaican one-two finish in the men's 110 metres hurdles clocking 13.19 for victory over Orlando Bennett, who did 13.22.

It also occurred in the women's 100 metres hurdles as Amoi Brown took victory in 12.64 seconds, while former World Championships winner Danielle Williams was second in 12.68.

National champion Janieve Russell clocked 53.65 for victory in the women's 400 metres hurdles, defeating former World Championships and Olympic Games champion Dalilah Muhammad, who was second in 54.01. Russell led a podium finish for Jamaica as Andrenette Knight was third in 54.13.

In the field, former World Championships long jump winner Tajay Gayle was third in the men's long jump registering a mark of 7.89 metres. The event was won by Jarrion Lawson of the USA in 8.00 metres, with his compatriot William Williams second in 7.92.