NATIONAL CHAMPION Sherica Williams and Novlene Williams qualified for the women's 400m final on day two of track and field competition at the XVIII Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, Australia yesterday (Sunday night Jamaica time).
Running at the world famous Melbourne Cricket Ground, Novlene Williams clocked a season best 51.03 to win the opening heat ahead of Grenada's Hazel Regis (51.75). Ronetta Smith placed sixth in the same heat and was eliminated.
UPSET RESULT
Shericka Williams also clocked a season best 51.36, but was second to Bahamian Christine Amertil in the second semi-final.
In an upset result, World and Olympic champion Tonique Williams-Darling of the Bahamas was beaten by England's Christine Ohuruogu.
Williams-Darling went out much too fast and paid the price. The two women had the two fastest times of the semi-finals with Ohurogu winning in 50.87 and Williams-Darling getting second in 50.97.
All three Jamaican men advanced to today's (last night Caribbean time) semi-finals of the men's 400 metres.
Jermaine Gonzales posted the fastest time in placing second in a season-best 45.86 seconds behind English teenager Martyn Rooney who won heat eight in a personal best 45.69.
LOOKED GOOD IN WINNING
Lansford Spence also looked good in winning heat seven in 46.13. He started slowly but found his rhythm at the top of the straight to cross the line easing down.
Least impressive of Jamaica's trio was Davian Clarke, who found the outside lane seven a bit hard to handle and looked distressed in finishing second in heat one in 46.53. England's Robert Tobin won in 46.20.
Botwana's California Molefe, led all qualifiers with a fairly fast 45.36.
- Elton Tucker
