Shelly finally off and running
Jackson on course for sprint double, Elaine Thompson Herah scratches the 200
Published:Sunday | July 9, 2023 | 12:16 AM
AT LONG last, five-time world 100-metre champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce is off and running for the 2023 season. And she is determined to be fit enough to defend her 100-metre title at the World Championships next month.
Fraser-Pryce opened her season by winning her 200m heat the JAAA/PUMA National Senior and Junior Championships inside the National Stadium yesterday in 22.39 seconds.
Fraser-Pryce has had her opening race of the season cancelled twice, but is now back on the track for the first time since last September.
It was a relief.
“I’m really glad to be opening my season, finally. I have had a couple of setbacks but you know, it is all a part of the journey. Being an athlete and being one that is experienced for a long time, you roll with the punches. Glad I was able to get the 200 metres out of the way,” Fraser-Pryce said.
Fraser-Pryce’s time was the fastest among the field headed into today’s final. With a decision pending on whether she will report for the event, Fraser-Pryce said she is trusting the process to get in the right shape to defend her title
“Fit or no fit, you know that I will be at the line. It is part of track and field. You come, you show up and you do what you have to do. But I am really excited to see where I am at now in practice. It gave me an opportunity to pivot a bit. I am just trusting the process and see how it goes,” Fraser-Pryce said.
In the meantime, reigning world 200m champion Shericka Jackson stayed on course for back-to-back sprint double titles, progressing to the final with a conservative 22.88 to finish second in her heat and progress to the final. Shashalee Forbes, Kevona Davis, Lane-Tava Thomas, Jodean Williams, Natasha Morrison and Natalliah Whyte all progressed to the final.
Elaine Thompson Herah, who won her first individual medal at a World Championship just last year, failed to show for the start of her heat.
In the men’s 200m, defending national champion Andrew Hudson stayed on course to repeat as well, clocking 20.31 to win his heat and qualify for the final with the second-fastest time.
Rasheed Dwyer progressed with the fastest time of the field, hitting the line in 20.25. Former world 100m champion Yohan Blake also booked his spot in the final in 20.35, looking to book his spot on the team after failing to make the 100m team.
In the field, world championship silver medallist Shaneika Ricketts captured her fifth national triple jump title with a wind-aided leap of 14.76 metres. Ackelia Smith was second with 14.26, while Imani Oliver was third with 13.44.
Despite the distance not being wind-legal, Ricketts was pleased after recovering from the bruised heel she suffered last month.
“It is always good to celebrate a national title. I am in a much better place than I was last month. So it is a positive step in the right direction,” said Ricketts.
In the women’s shot put, 2019 world championship silver medallist Danniel Thomas Dodd won her ninth national shot put title with a throw of 19.08 metres. Traves Smikle successfully defended his national discus title with a throw of 66.12, edging Roje Stona, second with 65.92 and guaranteed a spot on a world championship team for the first time. World Championship silver medallist from 2019, Fedrick Dacres, was third with 65.79. All three men had previously attained the automatic World Championship qualifying standard.