NCAA National Indoor 60m and 200m champion Julien Alfred has set her sights on the 60m world record after becoming the second fastest woman all time over the distance. She is also keen to test herself against the best female sprinters in the world.
The 21-year-old Alfred, in her final indoor season for the University of Texas ran 6.94 to win the 60m dash and took 200m gold in 22.01 at the NCAA Division 1 National Indoor Championships in Albuquerque, Texas on March 11.
Both times are the second fastest all-time behind Irina Privalova’s 6.92 and Merlene Ottey’s 21.87, respectively set 30 years ago.
The only woman to break seven seconds at the collegiate level, Alfred’s accomplished that feat three times during the season and even as her collegiate career comes to a close, she plans to continue competing indoors because she wants the 60m world record.
“I do want to go after that world record and I know some day I will get it,” she said while speaking with FloTrack, even while revealing that she did not think about the world record much prior to the NCAA finals because it induces her anxiety.
Setting two world-leading times and the second-fastest times in the indoor sprints on the same day, she said, has boosted her confidence, especially the 200m, an event that she really dislikes.
“I hate it. I am never going to like the 200m but this has really opened up my eyes as to what I can really do. This builds my confidence a bit more and I am looking forward to seeing what I can do at the international level. This is my last indoor competing for Texas so I am actually looking forward to going against the pros, competing at the professional level and see what I can do.”
Williams, Charlton, Tapper to line up in 100m hurdles at Xiamen Diamond League
Track & Field fans around the world will be treated to an exciting clash in the women’s 100m hurdles at the season’s opening Diamond League meet in Xiamen on Saturday.
Jamaica’s two-time World champion, Danielle Williams, will take on newly crowned World Indoor 60m champion and record holder, Devynne Charlton, as well as 2021 Olympic bronze medallist Megan Tapper.
World record holder Tobi Amusan and reigning Olympic champion Jasmine Camacho-Quinn are also set to line up on Saturday along with Americans Alaysha Johnson and Masai Russell.
The field is completed by Switzerland’s Ditaji Kambundji, 2022 World Indoor champion Cyrena Samba-Mayela and China’s Yanni Wu.
Reigning Olympic champion Hansle Parchment will compete alongside countryman Orlando Bennett in the 110mm hurdles.
Bajan two-time World Championship bronze medallist Sada Williams will line up in the 400m alongside Guyana’s Aliyah Abrams.
Bahamian Anthonique Strachan will take on some of the world’s best in the 200m.
Finally, Jamaica’s World Indoor 60m bronze medallist Ackeem Blake, 2011 World 100m champion Yohan Blake and reigning national 100m champion Rohan Watson will all line up in the 100m against a stacked field including the likes of American world champions Christian Coleman and Fred Kerley.
Stona's lifetime best overshadowed by Alekna's record-breaking performance at OK Throws Series
Jamaica's Roje Stona delivered a stunning personal best throw of 69.05 meters in the men's discus at the Ok Throws Series held at Millican Field in Throw Town, Oklahoma on Sunday. However, his exceptional performance was eclipsed by the remarkable display of Mykolas Alekna, who shattered a nearly 40-year-old world record in a truly historic feat. It was the oldest world record in men's athletics.
Stona's massive throw would have secured him victory in the competition on most other days, but it was Alekna who stole the show with an extraordinary series of throws, all surpassing the 70m mark. Alekna's fifth throw, measuring an astonishing 74.41m, broke the longstanding world record of 74.08m set by Jurgen Schult of East Germany in 1986.
Alekna, the son of two-time Olympic champion Virgilijus Alekna, demonstrated exceptional consistency and power throughout the event, recording throws of 72.21m, 70.32m, 72.89m, 70.51m, 74.41m, and 70.50m in what could be described as one of the most impressive series in the history of discus throwing.
Meanwhile, Roje Stona showcased his talent with a series of impressive throws following his outstanding opening mark. Despite fouling his second attempt, Stona maintained his form with throws of 65.46m, 65.34m, 68.05m, and 67.88m, highlighting his potential in the field.
Mika Sosna claimed the third spot with his best effort of 68.96m, while Alex Rose registered five throws over 66m but settled for fourth place with a top throw of 68.20m.
Although Stona's personal best marked a significant achievement in his career, the day belonged to Mykolas Alekna, whose record-breaking performance captivated audiences and left an indelible mark on discus throwing. Alekna's monumental achievement will undoubtedly be remembered as a defining moment in athletic history.
World champs silver medallist Britany Anderson wins first hurdles race back from year-long injury
World Championships 100m hurdles silver medallist Britany Anderson made a triumphant return to the event, with an impressive victory at the X Athletics Meeting in Milano, Italy on Saturday.
Mere days after she marked the anniversary of the knee injury she suffered in 2023 that caused her to miss the entire season, Anderson stormed to victory in 13.23. Showing good speed but lacking rhythm, Anderson managed to hold off the challenge of Elena Carraro, who was a close second in 13.30.
Giulia Piazzi was a distant third in a season’s best 14.13.
Anderson’s win in the 100m hurdles, was the first of two victories she had on the day. She would later be a member of her training group’s impressive 4x100m relay victory. Anderson, Amy Hunt, Mabounduo Kone and Daryll Neita streaked to victory in 43.21.
The Team Air quartet was so impressive their winning time was more than five seconds faster than the Cus Pro Patria Milano ‘B’ team that finished in second place in 47.65 and six second better than Cus Insubria Varese Como ‘A’ that was third in 48.66.
SportsMax is the Caribbean sports channel of choice, committed to providing sporting content of the highest quality to the Caribbean, delivered by a team of highly innovative, passionate and qualified professionals.
(876) 619-7629
digitalmedia@sportsmax.tv
