By Kayon Raynor
KINGSTON (Reuters) – Kishane Thompson registered a sizzling world-leading mark of 9.77 seconds to win the men’s 100 metres at the Jamaican Olympic trials on Friday, becoming the joint ninth fastest man in history.
Two-time World Championships finalist Oblique Seville was second in 9.82, while World Indoor 60m bronze medallist Ackeem Blake finished third in 9.92.
Thompson, who is in only his second season as a professional, had not raced at all this season before the Jamaican championship and told Reuters he believes he can go faster.
“My coach instructed me just to run the first 60 metre, nothing more, after that, shut it down,” he said.
“If I came second or third, I would’ve made the team. The goal wasn’t to prove anything tonight, just run the 70 or 60 metres and see where I was.”
Thompson, now the fourth fastest Jamaican – behind Usain Bolt, Yohan Blake and Asafa Powell – said he had much to improve on making his Olympic debut in Paris.
“It’s kind of new to me, but I’m getting it slowly,” he said.
Shericka Jackson recovered from a poor start to win the women’s 100m in 10.84, clawing her way from the back of the field after 30 metres to power past Tia Clayton (10.90) and twice Olympic champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce (10.94).
Jackson, the back-to-back world champion in the 200m, said winning was more important than running a faster time.
“Coach and I sat down and talked about how we wanted the approach the season, and I think we did pretty good, having only ran one 100m prior to the national trials,” Jackson told Reuters.
“It’s a work in progress and I will now turn my attention to retaining my 200m title over the next two days.”
Malik James-King won the 400m hurdles in 47.42, moving up to number five in the world this season as he crossed the finish 0.62 seconds ahead of national record holder Roshawn Clarke, while Jaheel Hyde was third in 48.35.
James-King said he never panicked, even as he left it until hurdle number nine to catch Clarke.
“I was actually focusing on my lane and the hurdles in front of me while biding my time to execute down the home stretch,” he said.
On the women’s side, twice world championship bronze medallist Rushell Clayton sped to a lifetime best 52.51, the second-fastest time this season, to secure her first Olympic berth.
“My aim was to execute an awesome race… and I think I got my stride 99% close to perfect tonight to move up to 52.51,” she said.
Janieve Russell (53.33) and Shiann Salmon (53.71) completed the podium spots.
Deandre Watkin ran a massive personal best of 44.48 to win the men’s 400m, while Sean Bailey finished second in 44.65, while JeVaughn Powell ended third in 44.79.
(Reporting by Kayon Raynor in Kingston; Editing by Amy Tennery and William Mallard)
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