JAAA event at STADIUM: Powell looks all set to reclaim 100m sprint crown... Women’s title to be decided, after insufficient entries delay their progress

Former world record holder Asafa Powell (right) easing
home in 9.98 seconds to win heat one of the men’s 100m
ahead of Yohan Blake (left) in 10.24 seconds at the
 National Stadium last night. At centre is Mario Forsythe.
(PHOTO: BRYAN CUMMINGS)

JC schoolboy Clayton Brown on his way to winning the
 men’s triple jump with a leap of 16.17m. Orlando Thomas
of MVP about to unleash the javelin with a winning throw
of 70.12m. Ristananna Tracey of Racers is all focus and
concentration on her way to winning the women’s 400
semifinal in 56.22 seconds.

BY HOWARD WALKER Observer senior reporter walkerh@jamaicaobserver.com  Friday, June 26, 2015    
Former world record holder Asafa Powell has set tongues wagging after clocking 9.98 seconds to easily brush aside Yohan Blake and company to advance to the semi-finals of the 100 metres at the Supreme Ventures JAAA National Senior Championships at the National Stadium last night. Blake, who finished second in 10.24 seconds, was quickest out of the blocks but once Powell got going the race was all over as he bounced home for yet another sub-10 clocking with a lot in reserve. Kemarley Brown of UTech was third, also in 10.24 seconds. Nesta Carter of MVP won heat two in 10.12 seconds, easing down ahead of Sheldon Mitchell of Swept Track Club in 10.13. UTech’s Tyquendo Tracey was third with 10.14 seconds and advanced to the semi-finals. Commonwealth Games champion Kemar Bailey-Cole of Racers took heat three in 10.05 seconds, the same as secondplaced Andrew Fisher of UTech, with the fastfinishing Jason Livermore of Akan third with 10.06 seconds. Veteran Michael Frater of Racers was fourth in 10.14 and advanced as one of the fastest losers. Nickel Ashmeade won the final quarterfinal heat in 10.12 seconds ahead of former World Youth and World Junior champion Dexter Lee of Akan in 10.18 seconds. Jevaughn Minzie of Racers was third in 10.18 seconds. The women’s 100m quarterfinals were scratched due to insufficient entries and will be run as semi-finals later today. Meanwhile, UTech’s Janieve Russell advanced easily to the 400m hurdles final after cruising home in heat one in 55.59 seconds ahead of Shevon Stoddart in 55.79 and Samantha Elliott of Clemson University with 56.42 seconds. Ronda Whyte of GC Foster fell after clearing the ninth and penultimate hurdle while in third position and failed to finish. more