Elton Tucker, Assistant Editor - Sport
Chelsea Hammond in full flight while competing in the senior women's long jump final on day one of the Puma/Supreme Ventures National Senior and Junior Athletic Championships at the National Stadium yesterday. - Ian Allen/Staff Photographer
Many-time national 100m champion, Elva Goulbourne was up-staged in the senior women's long jump by American-born Jamaican Chelsea Hammond on the opening day of the Puma/Supreme Ventures National senior and Junior Championships yesterday.
Hammond, born to Jamaican parents in New York, dominated the event from the start to post a winning wind-aided distance of 6.87m. The following wind was 2.2 metres per second.
The 23-year-old's first two attempts produced 6.63m and 6.65m, all over her previous personal best of 6.58m.
Goulbourne was second with 6.67m. The wind (2.4mps) was also over the legal limit of 2.0mps. Nolle Graham was third with 6.38m (1.2mps).
Hammond was very confident coming into the meet: "I just love it here. The crowd, the excitement, the fast track. I always feel comfortable competing here."
She has been to the championships on at least three previous occasions but has always finished behind Goulbourne, who has been winning the national title since 1999.
FIERCE BATTLE
The battle for the all-important top three spots in the men's 400m hurdles final will be fierce as the top eight seeds easily separated themselves from the rest of the field.
In semi-final heat one, Markeino Buckley just edged out National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) champion Isa Phillips, 49.26 seconds to 49.28. Adrian Findlay was third in 49.64 while many-time national champion Kemel Thompson was fourth in 49.73 and advanced as one of the fastest losers.
Olympic silver medallist Danny McFarlane ran his usual powerful race to take the second semi-final in 49.27. Dean Griffith ran on to take second in 49.52, Bryan Steele was third in 49.56, while Ian Weakley was fourth in 49.85.
Phillips, who ran a personal best 48.51 in capturing the NCAA title recently, is looking forward to taking the national title.
"At the beginning of the season, the goal was to win the NCAA title, make the team to the World Championships and to run 48.30. Since the NCAA, I havestepped it up from just making the team to looking at possibly winning the national championships here. That would be a great feat for me and we are working on doing that," a very confident Phillip said.
There were no heats for the women's 400m hurdles. All entrants, including world leader Melaine Walker, advance to this evening's final.
ASAFA EASY
Asafa Powell wins his heat on day one of the Puma/Supreme Ventures National Senior and Junior Athletics Champion-ships at the National Stadium yesterday. - Ian Allen/Staff Photographer
World record holder Asafa Powell led all qualifiers into this evening's semi-finals of the men's 100 metres.
Powell won the opening heat in 10.20 as he barely raised a gallop. Veteran Clement Campbell was next best in 10.25 in winning heat four. Nesta Carter took heat four in 10.27, schoolboy Yohan Blake ran away with heat two in 10.32, while 2005 World Championships silver medallist Michael Frater was home first in heat three in 10.33.
In other finals completed yesterday, Aundrae Clarke threw 61.27m on his very last throw to take the men's javelin. G.C. Foster's Mickhil Downer who led into the final round was second with a best of 60.32m. Third went to Michael Chambers on 50.86m.
Troy Irons was a runaway winner of the Masters men 1,500 metres. Irons won in 4:26.27 from former national representative, Linton McKenzie, who clocked 4:53.13. Richard Brown was third in 4:56.10 and Oral Anderson fourth, 5:00.67.
Karlene Blagrove was also too good for her rivals in the women's Masters 1500m. She won in 5:24.65, over a minute ahead of Ann-Marie Shaw 6:09.40 and Cecile Bordato 7:45.26.
Wainard Talbert won the 5000m in 14.58.98 form Kirk Brown 15.42.71 and Sheldon Watson, 16.28.10.
Today's schedule
FIELD EVENTS
4:00 p.m:
Shot PutUnder-18 girls Final
Shot Put Under-20 girls Final
Shot Put Senior Women Final
4:00 p.m:
High Jump Under-18 Boys Final
High Jump Under-20 Boys Final
5:00p.m:
High Jump Senior Men Final
6:00 p.m:
Discus Throw Under-18 Boys Final
Discus Throw Under-20 Boys Final
Discus Throw Senior Throw Final
6:30 p.m:
Triple Jump Under-18 Girls Final
Triple Jump Under-20 Girls Final Triple
Jump Senior Women Final
TRACK EVENTS
4:00 400m Under 18 girls Semis
4:10 400m Under 18 boys Semis
4:20 400mUnder-20 girls Semis
4:30 400m Under-20 boys Semis
4:40 400m Senior Women Semis
5:00 400m Senior Men Semis
5:15 100m Under-18 girls Semis
5:25 100m Under-18 boys Semis
5:35 100m Under 20 girls Semis
5:45 100m Under-20 boys Semis
5:50 100m Senior Women Semis
6:00 100m Senior Men Semis
6:15 1500m Under-18 girls Final
1500m Under-18 boys Final
1500m Under-20 girls Final
1500m Under-20 boys Final
6:35 1500m Senior Women Final
6:40 1500m Senior Men Final
6:50 3000m SteeplechaseSenior Women Final
7:15 400m hurdlesUnder 18 Girls Final
7:30 400m hurdlesUnder 20 Girls Final
7:35 400m HurdlesSenior Women Final
7:45 400m HurdlesUnder 18 boys Final
7:50 400m HurdlesUnder 20 boys Final
7:55 400m HurdlesSenior Men Final
8:10 100m Under-18 girls Final
8:15 100m Under-18 boys Final
8:20 100m Under-20 girls Final
8:25 100m Under-20 boys Final
8:35 100m Senior Women Final
8:45100m Senior Men Final
