World championships gold medallist Shaunae Miller-Uibo and Commonwealth champion Sada Williams have both advanced to the final of the 400m of the 2022 NACAC Open Championships that got underway in Freeport, the Bahamas on Friday.
Christopher Taylor and Nathon Allen also advanced to the men’s final after the completion of their 400m heat
Miller-Uibo, the 2022 400m world champion, was a comfortable winner in the opening heat clocking 50.84 to finish ahead of Jamaica’s Stephenie-Ann McPherson, who ran a comfortable 51.65. Canada’s Kyra Constantine is also through to the final when she finished third in the opening heat in 51.93. Gabrielle Scott of Puerto Rico was the fourth qualifier having finished fourth in 52.22.
Meanwhile, Williams, who after winning the bronze medal in the 400m at the world championships in a personal best of 49.75 and then claimed gold at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England, cantered to a time of 51.48 to win heat two ahead of Cuba’s Calderon Roxana Gomez who crossed the finish line in 51.57.
Canada’s Natasha McDonald finished third in 51.65 just ahead of Jamaica’s Junelle Bromfield, whose time of 51.75 also saw her advance to the final as a non-automatic qualifier.
Among the men, Taylor was fastest into the final having run 45.50 to win the second of the two heats.
Also through from that heat were Trinidad and Tobago’s Asa Guevara (47.08) and Aymeric Fermley of Guadeloupe (47.24).
All the other finalists advanced from the opening heat that was won by Allen in 45.85. Bryce Deadmon of the USA (46.63) also advanced along with Kinard Rolle of the Bahamas (47.86).
Allan LaCroix of Guadeloupe (48.27) and Cuba’s Rodriquez Reneil Pintado (49.22) also advanced as non-automatic qualifiers.
In the men’s long jump, 2019 World Champion Tajay Gayle and Shawn-D Thompson, who just missed out on a medal at the Commonwealth Games with a season’s best 8.05m, both advanced from the preliminary round of the long jump with marks of 7.83m and 7.76m, respectively.
Also advancing were Tristan James of Dominica (7.47m) and Commonwealth Games gold medallist Laquan Nairn of The Bahamas (7.43m).
Leighton Levy is a journalist with 28 years’ experience covering crime, entertainment, and sports. He joined the staff at SportsMax.TV as a content editor two years ago and is enjoying the experience of developing sports content and new ideas. At SportsMax.tv he is pursuing his true passion - sports.
Fraser-Pryce to receive Keys to the City of Kingston
Multiple-time Olympic and World Champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce is to be presented with the Keys to the City of Kingston by the Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation (KSAMC).
The resolution to confer the honour on the sprint sensation was passed during today's meeting of the Council held in the Marcus Garvey Council Chamber, 24 Church Street, downtown Kingston.
Fraser-Pryce is widely revered as one of Jamaica's greatest athletes, with more than 22 years of stellar performance in the 60m, 100m, 200m, and 4x100 metre track events, and is the recipient of countless medals.
Moving the resolution, Councillor for the Hagley Park Division, Waynette Strachan, said the world-class athlete has made all of Jamaica proud and has transcended the boundaries of sport to become an icon, a symbol of hope, and an ambassador for Jamaica's rich and vibrant culture.
“To give Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce the Keys to Kingston is to acknowledge not only her incredible achievements as an athlete but her profound influence as a role model, mentor, and beacon of hope for all Jamaicans.
“In giving Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce the Keys to the City, we are not just honouring her past accomplishments; we're celebrating the promise of all that is yet to come. Her journey is far from over, and I have no doubt that she will continue to inspire, uplift, and break barriers for many years to come,” she said.
Born and raised in Waterhouse, Fraser-Pryce is a treasured citizen of Kingston and outstanding Jamaican.
She continues to give back to the community of her birth and notable charities through her Pocket Rocket Foundation.
Councillor for the Waterhouse Division, Bryon Lee Clarke, said Fraser-Pryce continues to be a beacon of hope for many Jamaicans, and “this gesture is more than deserving.”.
Councillor for the Stony Hill Division, Tosha Schwapp, described Fraser-Pryce as a “Jamaican gem and icon who is beloved for her tenacity.”.
Other Councillors who made contributions were Dennis Gordon, Eugene Kelly, Andrew Harris, and Jermaine Hyatt.
The presentation of the Keys to the City of Kingston is the highest honour that can be bestowed by the KSAMC.
It is being conferred on Fraser-Pryce in recognition of her sterling and iconic career in athletics over the years, which has positively influenced adoring fans in Jamaica and around the world, including many who continue to enjoy her enduring legacy.
A road in the community of Waterhouse will also be named in her honour.
Keilando Goburn takes up role assistant coach at University of Maryland Eastern Shore
St. Jago High School is now searching for a new head coach for their girls track and field team as Keilando Goburn has left the institution.
Goburn, who coached the St. Jago girls team for 16 years, will take his knowledge overseas and take up the role of assistant coach for track and field and cross country at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore.
During Goburn’s 16 years at the helm of St. Jago’s girls team, they were consistently one of the best performing schools at “champs,” always finding themselves in the top five of the points standings when all was said and done.
Goburn also has had a hand in the development of some of the country’s most promising young athletes including the likes of NCAA Indoor 60m champion Brianna Lyston who started her high school career at St. Jago before making the switch to Hydel High.
Blake, Ogando, Camacho-Quinn secure wins at Gala dei Castelli in Switzerland
Jamaica’s Ackeem Blake and the Dominican Republic’s Alexander Ogando both secured wins at the Gala dei Castelli, a two-day World Athletics Continental Tour Silver meet in Bellinzola, Switzerland from September 8-9.
Blake, a bronze medallist at the World Indoor Championships in Glasgow earlier this season, continued his fine form lately with 9.96 to win the men’s 100m ahead of South Africa’s Akani Simbine (10.04) and Cameroon’s Emmanuel Eseme (10.11).
Ogando, a 200m finalist at the Paris Olympics last month, won the event in Switzerland comfortably in 20.19 ahead of Canada’s Aaron Brown (20.49) and Switzerland’s William Reis (20.55).
Both Blake and Ogando will be in action at the Wanda Diamond League final from September 13-14 in Brussels.
On the women’s side, Puerto Rican Olympic medallist Jasmine Camacho-Quinn took top spot in the women’s 100m hurdles in 12.52, just ahead of American Grace Stark (12.54). Switzerland’s Ditaji Kambundji ran 12.82 in third.
Camacho-Quinn will also be in action in Brussels.
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