Blake, Anderson score wins in the Netherlands
Published:Tuesday | June 7, 2022 | 12:09 AMDaniel Wheeler/Staff Reporter
Former World 100 metres champion Yohan Blake and hurdler Britany Anderson made important strides on their road to the World Athletics Championships with wins at the FBK Games Meet in Hengelo, Netherlands, yesterday.
The event, which was the eighth on the World Athletics Continental Gold Tour, saw Blake clock 10.11 seconds to win the men’s 100m, his third win of the season and his first outside of Jamaica. Kyree King of the United States finished second in 10.23 while Emile Erasmus of South Africa was third in 10.25. Tyquendo Tracey finished sixth in 10.41.
Blake said after the race that he felt that he is getting closer to being where he needs to be at this stage of this season.
“The crowd is amazing, the conditions are not the best. I (just) put in the work, the feeling is right there.”
Blake has previously finished no lower than fourth in international competition this year and he is coming off a second-place finish at the 61st Golden Spike Meet, in the Czech Republic where he clocked a season’s best 10.05.
Meanwhile, Anderson clocked a season’s best 12.51 for her fourth win of the season in the women’s 100m hurdles ahead of 2019 World champion Nia Ali of the United States who crossed the line in 12.69. Tonea Marshall, her countrywoman, came third in 12.70. Anderson is coming off a win at the Duval Country Challenge on May 21 in Jacksonville, Florida, where she clocked 12.59.
Christopher Taylor opened his 400m campaign at the meet, finishing in second place with a time of 45.45. The race was won by America’s Vernon Norwood who clocked 45.28 and his countryman Trevor Stewart came third in 45.93. However, there was disappointment for hurdler Damion Thomas who did not finish his race.