Olympic champions, Usain Bolt and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce would both be in action this weekend, competing in the Jamaica National Senior Championships which will be taking place from June 25-28. Always a thrilling event to keep an eye on, the championships will see a stiff competition for places in the Jamaican team that will be going to the World Championship in Beijing.
As it stands, Bolt already has a wild card for the World Championship, but Fraser-Pryce who despite having a bye will have to contend for the automatic spot against Veronica Campbell-Brown and Elaine Thompson who was the early pacesetter this year. This year, only Fraser-Pryce and Thompson are the two Jamaicans to have gone below the 11s. Pryce set a Season’s Best (SB) of 10.81s, while Thompson earned a Personal Best (PB) of 10.84s, both at the Eugene Diamond League. Thompson would be going to the national championships to show she has a lot to prove after placing fifth last year, in a race that was won by Campbell-Brown. Both Fraser-Pryce and Campbell-Brown will contend for the double.
Having come very close to being beaten at the Diamond League in New York, Bolt is believed to have entered for the trials trying to get many races under his belt as he realises that he will face a strong challenge for his title in August. The world’s fastest man hasn’t had it so good this season, failing to go below 10s and 20s mark in both the 100m and 200m respectively. Currently ranked 49th with a SB of 10.12s, it explains his eagerness to be in top form.
At the trials, Bolt will be coming against Asafa Powell who has a SB of 9.84s and is currently world No 3. Powell has run faster than Bolt in all his races this year and would be aiming for an 89th sub-10s race. 2011 World Champion Yohan Blake who has made a return from a lengthy injury lay-off, will also be one to keep an eye on, making his first 100m appearance of the year in Kingston, Jamaica, which he won in 10.21s. Nesta Carter, Warren Weir and Blake are amongst those also listed to compete in both the 100m and 200m.
The men’s 110m Hurdles would be another eye-catching event to watch out for as it features the best sprint hurdlers the nation has produced in recent years. Current NCAA Champion, Omar McLeod, Jamaica’s best hurdler this season, would be aiming to maintain his unbeaten streak and win his first national title. However he will be up against Andrew Riley, who is the 2014 Commonwealth Champion.
National Record holder, Hansle Parchment hasn’t had the best of seasons since his comeback from injury. Parchment would be hoping for a drastic improvement on his SB of 13.40s if he’s to qualify for Beijing. Dwight Thomas is on the comeback trail after setting a SB of 13.42s at the Florida Relays on April 3rd while 20yr old Tyler Mason will relish the experience of competing with the big boys as he comes with a PB of 13.61s.
Meanwhile in the men’s 400m event, Javon Francis would be the favourite to win, coming into the championships as the fastest Jamaican with his SB of 44.50s. Rusheen McDonald (44.60s) and Akeem Bloomfield (44.93s) are also expected to be strong competitors.
In the women category, Kaliese Spencer, Novlene Williams-Mills and Stephanie Ann-Mcpherson would square up in the quarter-mile event.
Jamaicans would hope for more good times from their athletes, come late August as they wouldn’t want to lose the bragging rights as the best sprint nation in the world.
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