KINGSTON – Olympic double sprint champion Elaine Thompson unleashed a world-leading time to successfully defend her 100 metres title at the National Championships here Friday night.
The 24-year-old, the first woman in 28 years to win both the 100 and 200 metres at an Olympiad when she dominated last year’s Rio Games, clocked a swift 10.71 seconds to star in the event at the National Stadium.
Olympic sprint relay silver medallist, Simone Facey, clocked a season-best 11.04 seconds to be second while Jura Levy was third in 11.06.
Thompson’s time was just outside of her personal best 10.70 posted when she took the 100m crown at last year’s National Championships.
Only last month, she raced to an impressive 10.78 in winning the Shanghai Diamond League.
“I’m really satisfied with this time,” Thompson said afterwards. “I was happy to come out here and go through the rounds smooth and healthy.”
Meanwhile, the resurgent Yohan Blake copped the men’s equivalent when he stormed to victory in 9.90 seconds.
The 27-year-old, widely regarded as the heir apparent to the retiring Usain Bolt, finished ahead of Julian Forte who was second in 10.04 while Senoj-Jay Givans finished third in 10.05.
“Every time I run I keep getting better,” said Blake, who took silver in both sprints at London 2012.
“Every day Usain Bolt has been encouraging me and I just want to maintain this form going into the World Championships.”
Asafa Powell picked up an injury in the semi-finals and sat out the final.
The upset of the evening came in the women’s 400 metres hurdles when Rhonda Whyte came with a late run to stun a strong field and win in 54.29 seconds.
The championships serve as trials for the IAAF World Championships in London from August 5 to 13. (CMC)
