Julien Alfred opened her 200m outdoor season in spectacular form on Friday, winning the Olympic Development race at the Tom Jones Memorial in Gainesville, Florida, with a world-leading 21.88s run in the opening heat.

Lining up in heat one alongside a quality field that included Jamaica’s Niesha Burgher, Great Britain’s Daryll Neita, and Ireland’s Rhasidat Adeleke, Alfred separated herself early and maintained her form through the line to comfortably secure the fastest time overall across all five heats. Adeleke finished fourth in the same heat and was fifth overall in 22.57, while Neita’s 22.89 placed her sixth on the combined standings. Burgher clocked 23.09 to finish 10th overall.

Alfred was the only woman under 22 seconds on the day, with Nigeria’s Favour Ofili (22.34) and American Tamari Davis (22.37) completing the top three, both also running in heat one.

Among the other Jamaicans competing, Nickisha Pryce was fourth in heat two with 23.10, placing her 11th overall. Stacey-Ann Williams produced a strong showing to win heat four in 23.31, finishing 14th overall on time, while teenage sensation Alana Reid claimed heat five in 23.33, placing her 15th overall in the rankings.

Leah Anderson, who recently returned to form with a win over 600m, placed fourth in heat four with 23.49.

The result continues Alfred’s strong start to the outdoor season following her impressive 300m victory over Shericka Jackson in Miramar earlier this month.