Noah Lyles, Wayde van Niekerk and Tobi Amusan shine at the Racers Grand Prix in Kingston
Noah Lyles, Wayde van Niekerk, Tobi Amusan and 200m world champion Shericka Jackson shine at Racers Grand Prix in Jamaica on Saturday (3 June).
Athletics
U.S sprinting sensation Noah Lyles brought the curtain down on the Racers Grand Prix in Kingston, Jamaica clocking a meeting record and world lead in the men’s 200m on Saturday (3 June).
The two-time world champion was in blistering form crossing the line in a time of 19.67 seconds well ahead of Great Britain’s Zharnel Hughes in second place. Hughes clocked 20.14s with Jamaica’s Rasheed Dwyer finishing third in 20.53s.
Lyles lined up in only his second half-lap sprint of the season, delivering the standout performance in a rain-delayed track and field event.
Jamaica's Shericka Jackson was in devastating form in the women's 100m setting a meet record of 10.78s with Anthonique Strachan of the Bahamas taking silver in 10.99s. Sashalee Forbes of Jamaica finished third in 11.07s.
Former world champion Christian Coleman of the United States won the men’s 100m race in a time of 10.03s beating Jamaica’s Kadrian Goldson (10.08s) into second place with Guyana’s Emanuel Archibald finishing third in 10.23s.
Wayde van Niekerk in cruise control
Earlier, world 400m record holder Wayde van Niekerk continued on his comeback trail with a comfortable victory.
The South African ran in front over the one-lap sprint from the gun running from the fourth lane, with the rest of the field forming a V-shape behind him.
The 2016 Olympic champion has been racing sparingly so far this season as he looks to reclaim the world title he conceded due to a long injury layoff. Van Niekerk signalled his return to world-class form at the South African Track and Field Championships earlier this year, where he clocked 44.17s—ranked among his top-10 career best times.
The 30-year-old Van Niekerk posted a meeting record in Kingston, finishing well ahead of Jamaicans Zandrion Barnes (44.90s) and Rusheen McDonald (45.24s).
“I was just trying to execute as my coach and I had planned. Our plan was to attack over the last 120 metres,” Van Niekerk said.
“I’ve had a consistent start (to the season). At home, conditions were different than out here where it has been a bit wet. It shows me a bit of consistency and something positive to work towards.”
Nigeria’s world 100m hurdles record holder Tobi Amusan demonstrated her class as she sailed over the barriers in a season’s best time of 12.57s. Amusan dipped ahead of American hurdler Tia Jones (12.72s) with Jamaica’s Megan Tapper clocking 12.80s for third place.