Fraser-Pryce opens with 11.15 seconds

The wait was long for her ardent fans but eight-time Olympic Games medallist Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce finally got her 2024 season under way on Saturday night at the French Foray III meet at the National Stadium.

Fraser-Pryce clocked a moderate 11.15 seconds for the 100 metres to top the timed finals. It was not the usual silky smooth Fraser-Pryce as she just got to the line just ahead of Jodean Williams, a local second level sprinter. After not getting her usual blazing start the 37-year-old 'Pocket Rocket' had to come from behind to peg back SprinTec Track Club's Williams 10 metres from the finish line. Williams was second overall in 11.20 with Sabrina Dockery of Lacovia High, third in 11.46.

With 10 days to go before the start of the National Championships it will be interesting to see what improvement Fraser-Pryce will make between now and next Thursday. The National Championships is set for June 27-30.

Williams earned two second-place finishes on the night. She was runner-up in the women's 200m in 23.53 seconds. Kemba Nelson of Elite Performance Track Club won in 23.51 with Jura Levy of Legacy Track Club, third in 24.29.

Ronda Whyte, representing Swept Track Club, captured the women' s 400m in 53.59, ahead of Roneisha McGregor of UWI, Mona, 54.71, with third going to Abrina Wright of Holmwood Technical in 55.66.

National junior record holder Bouwahjgie Nkrumie of Racers Track club, making a rare appearance in the event this season, came out on top in the men's 100m after winning his heat in 10.21 for the fastest overall time. Sandrey Davison of Dynamic Speed Track club won his heat in 10.25 for second overall just edging out schoolboy Deandre Daley of Herbert Morrison High (10.26). Ackeem Blake, after his second-place finish behind Nkrumie in 10.30, was fourth overall.

Former national 400m champion Javon Francis, competing unattached, won the men's 200m in 21.00. Jehlani Gordon ended second in 21.02 with Davison finishing third in 21.24.

Assinia Williams of Titans Track Club captured the men's 400m hurdles in 49.08, ahead of Demar Murray (unattached) who was second in 50.39. Antonio Forbes of Dynamic Speed Track Club was third in 51.04.