Grenada’s Anderson Peters and Jamaica’s Britany Anderson pulled off impressive victories at the 2022 FBK Games Hengelo in The Netherlands on Monday.
Yohan Blake was also a winner in the men’s 100m while quarter-miler Christopher Taylor ran an encouraging season-best while finishing second in the 400m.
In damp and cool conditions, Peters was on fire in the men’s javelin throwing an impressive new meet record of 90.75m to secure yet another victory this season. The winning throw was the third best mark this season behind Peters’ own world-leading throw of 93.07m in Doha on May 13 and Jakub Vadlecjh’s 90.88m at the same meet.
Peters said that despite the weather conditions, he was happy to be able to throw 90m once more.'
"This feels good to throw a 90-plus. I was worried about the circumstances, this is too cold for me. It was windy and sometimes rainy. My hands were so cold that I had no feeling in it, the first throw," he said, adding that there are things he needs to improve upon ahead of the world championships in July.
"Normally, I like to throw my best throw at the first attempt. I have to improve the amount of 89-plus throws. Today at the FBK Games Hengelo, the crowd was lovely. The battle between me and Weber was great. We like to see who is the best man of the day. Looking forward to defending my title at World Champs.
The Grenadian led all throwers with his second throw of 88.70m but Germany’s Julian Webber, with his third throw of 89.54m, a personal best, took the lead before Peters responded with his winning fourth-round throw to remain unbeaten this season.
Webber’s mark, however, helped him secure second place, just ahead of Trinidad and Tobago’s Keshorn Walcott. The 2012 Olympic champion uncorked a season-best throw of 89.07m for third place.
Walcott said he enjoyed the competition.
“It was a wonderful competition, amazing results. We pushed each other, if the other performs, you need to answer,” he said.
“I am having a really good season so far. We did not expect it, but when the rain stopped, the results came. The crowd really lifted up our results, it was so wonderful all the cheering.”
Meanwhile, Anderson, the rising Jamaican sprint hurdler, was also in fine form running a season best 12.51 (0.4m/s) to defeat a talented field that included reigning world champion Nia Ali, who was second in 12.69 and Tonea Marshall, who ran 12.70 for third.
“My plan was to come here and keep my technique over the hurdles and to have fun,” she said afterwards.
“I am happy with my season’s best here and the fun is racing. I love being on the track to race. My next race is in Rome and I hope to improve. I go step by step.”
Bahamian Devynne Charlton equalled her season best 12.88 while finishing fifth behind fourth-place finisher Tia Jones (12.71).
Taylor, running in his 400m season debut clocked 45.45 to finish second behind the USA’s Vernon Norwood, who overtook the Jamaican down the stretch and held him off to win in 45.28.
Trevor Stewart of the USA was third in 45.93.
Blake won the blue-ribbon dash in 10.11 (-0.3m/s). Despite a look of disappointment when he saw the time, the 2011 world champion, was well clear of the field. Kyree King of the United States ran 10.23 for the runner-up spot while South Africa’s Emile Erasmus finished third in 10.25.
“The crowd is amazing (but) the conditions are not the best now,” said Blake, who expressed that better performances from him are not far away.
“I put in the work, the feeling is right there, I am not worried. I have a great coach and a good team.”
Great Britain’s Daryll Neita won the women’s 100 in 11.19 (0.8m/s) over Tynia Gaither of the Bahamas (11.23) and Imani Lansiquot who ran a season’s best 11.26 for third.