Kerron Stewart (right) and Veronica Campbell embrace at the end of the women's 200m final on Sunday's final day of the 2007 Puma/Supreme Ventures National Senior and Junior Championships. Campbell won in 22.39 seconds with Stewart second in 22.51. - Ricardo Makyn/staff photographer
Elton Tucker, Assistant Sport Editor
NATIONAL WOMEN'S 100 and 200 metres champion Veronica Campbell has expressed satisfaction with her performance at the three-day Puma/Supreme Ventures National Senior and Junior Championships which ended at the National Stadium on Sunday night. According to Campbell, the important thing was that she completed the meet without any injuries. "I finished the meet healthy, so I have got to be satisfied," the 2004 Olympic champion said after completing victory in the 200m on Sunday.
Missed 2006 championships
Campbell, who missed the 2006 National Championships and most of last season because of injury, added that she was looking forward to the 2007 IAAF World Championships in Osaka, Japan.
"I am really looking forward to Osaka. This year should be a really good one. There should be a lot of great competition and I am just looking forward to do well.
"My 100 metres especially has been going real great. I just have a few things to work on with my 200m, but I am totally happy," Campbell added.
Campbell, who last won the national sprint double in 2005 with winning times of 10.97 seconds (100m) and 22.53 (200m), said she was not perturbed during Sunday's 200m final when National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division One champion Kerron Stewart led until 20m before the finish.
"I just had to be patient and allow my momentum to bring me through. Kerron (Stewart) has been running great, she has had a lot of races and has just won the NCAA 200m ... but I think it was a good race overall," Campbell said. Stewart lauded Campbell's competitive spirit after the race. "Whenever you go against Veronica (Campbell), you have to come prepared because she is a competitor, so you have to be ready to run and that's what I did," Stewart, who looked to have the race in the bag, said.
The Auburn University student added that even when pressed by Campbell late in the event her main aim was to stay focussed, hold her form and finish the race.
tewart, who was also second in the 100m, had an outstanding junior career, including winning a sprint relay gold medal at the 2002 World Junior Championships here at the National Stadium. This will, however, be the first time the 23-year-old will be representing the country in an individual event at the World Championships.
