Ackeem Blake set for big run at NY Grand Prix

Eighteen Jamaican athletes, including promising young sprinter Ackeem Blake, will be in action at the USATF New York Grand Prix at Ichan Stadium today.

Blake, who is having a dream season so far, will compete in what is expected to be a fierce men’s 100 metres contest at the World Athletics Continental Tour meet. The race is scheduled for 12:57 p.m. Jamaica time.

The 21-year-old, who is the fastest Jamaican this season and world number three with his 9.89 seconds clocking to win at the Los Angeles Grand Prix on Saturday, May 27, will renew rivalry with American Christian Coleman and Great Britain’s Zharnel Hughes.

Blake got the better of Coleman who was third in the Los Angeles meet in 9.91. The Jamaican will be hoping to avenge his defeat to Hughes a week ago at the Road to Budapest meet inside the National Stadium. Hughes won in a season’s best 10.00, while Blake was second in 10.07. Jamaica’s Kadrian Goldson, with a season’s best 10.08, will also be in this event.

After her season’s best 11.04 at last Saturday’s meet at the National Stadium, 2018 world under-20 sprint champion Briana Williams will be hoping to maintain that momentum going into the National Senior Championships on July 6 when she contests the 100m at 12:43 p.m. She will battle a strong USA line-up, which includes Morolake Akinosun, Aleia Hobbs, Mikiah Brisco, Celera Barnes and Melissa Jefferson.

Megan Tapper, with a season’s best 12.74 seconds, and Danielle Williams, with 12.59, will be the first Jamaicans to take the track as they will contest the 100m hurdles at 12:03 p.m. Former world record holder Keni Harrison, with a season’s best 12.35, will lead the American charge and she will be joined by Alaysha Johnson and Tonea Marshall whose season’s best times are 12.41 and 12.55, respectively.

Following her 400m season opener in which she raced to a personal best of 49.71 seconds in finishing second to the Dominica Republic’s Marileidy Paulino, the outstanding Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone of the United States, the world record holder, will contest the one-lap event once again at 1:43 p.m. Her countrywoman Gabby Thomas, with a season’s best 49.68s, will also be in the line-up, along with the Jamaican trio of Ashley Williams, Charokee Young and Junelle Bromfield.

Two of the country’s top men’s 400m runners, Sean Bailey with a best of 44.43 and Zandrian Barnes (44.90), will run in the that event at 1:31 p.m. where they will be joined by countryman Karayme Bartley.

Sprint hurdlers Damion Thomas and Orlando Bennett will be hoping for improved performances heading into the National Championships when they contest the 110m hurdle at 12:13 p.m. Devon Allen, with a season’s best 13.12 seconds, will lead the United States charge, along with teammates Jamal Britt and Daniel Roberts .

After his world-leading 19.67 seconds in winning the 200m at the Racers Grand Prix in Jamaica, world champion Noah Lyles of the United States will be hoping to go faster when he contests the final event, the men’s 200m at 1:53 p.m. Jamaica’s Rasheed Dwyer will also face the starter.

Other Jamaicans down to compete today:

Men’s discus: Traves Smikle, Kai Chang

Women’s shot put: Danniel Thomas Dodd

Women’s hammer: Erica Beluit

Women’s high jump: Kimberly Williamson