Double Olympic silver medallist Yohan Blake made a long-awaited return to the track when he competed in the men’s 200 metres at meet four in the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) All-Comers development series.

The Racers Track Club representative, who has not competed in almost a year due to a hamstring injury, cruised to victory in his heat at the National Stadium on Saturday.

Blake, who is also known as ‘The Beast’, went out hard and opened up a gap ahead of the field coming off the curve before easing down in the end in a moderate 21.57 seconds.

However, his time placed him in 13th position overall, as Anguillan native Zharnel Hughes, representing High Performance Centre topped the event with a time of 20.44 seconds. Hughes won ahead of the Racers Track Club duo Miguel Francis (20.73sec) and Terrel Cotton (20.84sec).

Despite having pre-race jitters, Blake was elated to be back in competition.

“First I have to give God thanks that I am back on the track; it felt different [because] I was really nervous [and] didn’t know what I could do really. But I feel really good to the get the rust off,” he told reporters.

The 25-year-old admitted that thoughts of aggravating the injury played out on his mind, but encouraging words from coach Glen Mills and teammates assisted him significantly.

“I felt it so it was on my mind a little, but my coach and Usain (Bolt), and Warren (Weir) kept telling me to not think about it and just go out there and enjoy the race and that’s what I did,” he explained.

The 2011 World Championship 100-metre gold medallist confirmed his participation in next weekend’s meet five in the series, as he looks ahead to the National Senior Championships set for June 25-28.

“I don’t take long to get going, so I am going to come next week and run one more and head into the trials. I just have to keep it simple and do some speed work and I will be good,” said Blake.

However, he expressed uncertainty about doubling up in the sprints, and is optimistic about a podium finish which will earn him a spot on the team to the World Championships in Beijing, China in August.

“I am not sure as yet I am still leaving it for the coach to decide what he thinks is best for me. I just want to get back my competitiveness and see what happens, but I would like to be in the top three,” he added.

— Sherdon Cowan