Bolt wins in 9.92 at Hampton Games

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC - Jamaican Usain Bolt clocked the fastest ever legal 100 metres in Trinidad and Tobago Saturday night when he won the Hampton Games men's 100 metres in 9.92 seconds at the Hasely Crawford Stadium.

Bolt, who ran a blistering all-time world second fastest ever 9.76 at the Jamaica International two weeks ago, had a mild following wind of 0.6 metres per second and won ahead of American Mike Rodgers (10.07).

The previous quickest legal time in T&T was local star Marc Burns winning the 2005 Nationals in 9.96 seconds.

It was an awesome run by Bolt, who will tackle reigning World Champion Tyson Gay at the Reebok Grand Prix in New York at month-end.

The 21-year-old sensation separated himself from the field at the halfway stage, and by the 75-metre mark, he was comfortable and in full command.

Though he did not remain in high gear, Bolt had no problems keeping his rivals at bay. Rodgers and fellow American John Capel (10.12) chased him to the finish.

Trinidad and Tobago sprinter Aaron Armstrong was fourth in 10.15, one spot ahead of his compatriot Emmanuel Callender (10.24).

Local sprinter Nicconnor Alexander took the 100 “B” race in 10.30.

Tahesia Harrigan, the Hampton 2007 women’s champion, was a no-show for the special women’s international 100 metres.

In her absence, the Tobago sprinter Semoy Hackett won in a personal best 11.33 seconds.

Hackett seemed to beat the gun, but there was no recall, and she powered to the line ahead of Jamaican Nadine Palmer (11.41) and Barbadian Jade Bailey (11.56).

Ayanna Hutchinson won the “B” race in 11.42 for a Trinidad and Tobago women’s sprint double and she came home in front of Wanda Hutson (11.68) and Guyana’s Alisha Fortune (11.76).

In the men’s 400, the USA’s Jamaal Torrance turned for home at the front of the field and maintained his advantage to score in 45.87 seconds.

The race for silver was keenly contested, Grenadian Alleyne Francique just getting the better of Jamaica’s Jermaine Gonzales, both clocking 46.32. The 18-year-old Trinidadian Zwede Hewitt was fourth in 46.74.

Haiti’s Ginou Etienne was a comfortable winner of the women’s 400, getting home in 52.17 seconds to beat American Charlette Greggs (53.25) and T&T’s Janeil Bellille (54.52) into second and third, respectively.

In the boys’ under-20 one-lap race, Jovon Toppin was in a class of his own, winning in 47.02 seconds.

Kierre Beckles gave a command performance in the women’s 100 hurdles. Such was her dominance that when the 17-year-old Barbadian was crossing the finish line, second-placed Jeanelle Ovid was still negotiating the final barrier.

Beckles, winner of the Austin Sealy Award for the most outstanding performer at the Easter weekend CARIFTA Games in St Kitts and Nevis, clocked 14.22 seconds -- a full 1.7 seconds faster than Ovid’s 15.92.

The men’s 5,000 metres was a race against the clock for Pamenos Ballantyne.

The St Vincent and the Grenadines runner returned a time of 15 minutes, 24.25 seconds, enjoying a 100-metre cushion on silver medallist Rupert Green (15:42.89) of Jamaica.

The men’s 800 was also a one-man show, American Karjuan Williams romping to victory in 1:48.37.

In the women’s 1,500, Jamaican Janice Barnett clocked 4:35.22 for the easiest of victories.

James Grayman was unchallenged for gold in the men’s high jump.

The Antiguan cleared the bar at 2.26 metres, getting over on his third and final attempt. Grayman had enjoyed a first-time clearance at the previous height 2.21 metres. Barbadian Dwayne Lane (2.05m) finished a distant second.

T&T’s Robert Collingwood, the reigning CARIFTA champion, topped the men’s shot put field at 14.02 metres. Grenada’s Benjamin Hood (13.69m) and Barbadian Sheldon Roach (13.48m) claimed the minor medals.

There was another T&T CARIFTA champion in winners’ row, Michelle-Lee Ahye scoring in the under-17 girls’ 100 in 12.09 seconds.