Blake opens with 10.20 in 100 dash
YOHAN Blake, the 2006 World Junior bronze medallist, cruised a creditable 10.20 seconds (wind +1.3 m/s) in his first 100 metres of the season at the 12th GC Foster Classic in Spanish Town yesterday.
His time was the third fastest in the world this year after compatriot Nesta Carter’s 10.15 and Australian Patrick Johnson’s 10.18.
Blake, the National Junior record-holder of the event who became the fourth fastest Jamaican of all time last year with 9.93secs, turned back Racers training partner Marvin Anderson to win heat one of five in the Invitational Men’s 100m.
Blake took control from the outset and pressed home his advantage to beat Anderson, the sixth-place finisher in the 200m final at the 2007 World Championships in Osaka. Anderson was timed at 10.26secs — the second fastest of the day.
Both Blake and Anderson missed last summer’s IAAF World Championships in Berlin and served three-month bans after returning Adverse Analytical Finding for the prohibited substance 4-Methyl-2-Hexanamine at the Jamaican Trials in June.
In the meantime, Kenroy Anderson placed third overall in the invitational men’s 100m with 10.29secs.
The women’s equivalent went to Stephanie McPherson of MVP in 11.44 ahead of Audrea Segree of GC Foster, 11.56. Schillonie Calvert of Racer Club who hurt her hamstring towards the end of the race, was third overall in 11.77.
Meanwhile, Rasheed Dwyer of GC Foster returned 20.99 seconds to win the Invitational Men’s 200m. Lansford Spence, who also served a three-month drugs ban last summer, clocked 21.17secs for the second fastest 200m.
Former World Junior 100m bronze medallist Carrie Russell, who now trains with the MVP Track Club, won the Women’s equivalent in 24.16 ahead of training partner Nadia Cunningham, 24.19.