The Olympic 100 and 200m champion set a new meet record of 10.65 to win the 100m going away from Dina Asher-Smith who returned to form with a season-best run of 10.87 for second place. Third went to Ajla Del Ponte who ran a personal best 10.93. Daryll Neita also ran a personal best of 10.93 but was given fourth.
Since she won the gold medal in the 100m in Tokyo in a time of 10.61, Thompson-Herah has run times of 10.54, 10.64, 10.72 and 10.65 and became the first woman to run four wind-legal times under 10.70s.
During the meet where there were several close races, Kirani James narrowly missed out on winning the 400m in a stirring battle down the home stretch with Michael Cherry, whose legs gave out at the line but still managed to clock 44.41, just edging James as the two of them crashed to the track after crossing the line.
Deon Lendore of Trinidad and Tobago made it a Caribbean 2-3 as he clocked 44.81.
Another close finish unfolded in the 110m hurdles that ended with the USA’s Devon Allen being declared the champion even though he and Ronald Levy crossed the line together in 13.06. The time was 0.01 outside Levy’s lifetime best.
Olympic champion Hansle Parchment clipped a couple of hurdles, lost his rhythm and finished third in 13.17.
The 200m dashes were no different as Shericka Jackson ran a personal best 21.81 but just failed to hold off the fast-finishing Christine Mboma, who set a new WorldU20 record of 21.78, which was also an area record, for the victory.
Asher-Smith was unable to stay with them down the stretch and faded to third in 22.19.
Kenny Bednarek held off Andre Degrasse to win the men’s race in 19.70. His winning time was 0.02 seconds ahead of the Canadian who clocked 19.72.
Fred Kerley who won the 100m ahead of Degrasse, finished third in 19.83.
Megan Tapper has been on a tear since she became the first Caribbean woman to win a bronze medal in the 100m hurdles at the Olympics. She was third in Zurich in 12.55, just outside her lifetime best of 12.53 set during the first round of the event at the Tokyo Olympics last month.
It took a personal best and area record of 12.42 from Nigeria’s Tobi Amusan and a personal best and national record of 12.51 of the Netherlands’ Nadine Visser to beat her.
Quanera Hayes won the Women’s 400m in 49.88 over Dominica’s Marileidy Paulino, the Olympic silver medalist, who ran Hayes close to clock 49.96 for second place. Sada Williams of Barbados was third in 50.24, just edging Stephenie-Ann McPherson (50.25).
Candace McLeod was fifth in 50.96.
Karsten Warholm continued his imperious form in the 400m hurdles winning in 47.35 ahead of Alison Dos Santos (47.81) and Kyron McMaster (48.24).
Olympic bronze medalist Femke Bol took the women’s race in a meet record of 52.80. The USA’s Shamier Little ran 53.35 and Anna Ryzhykova, 53.70, for second and third, respectively.
Meanwhile, in the field, Fedrick Dacres finished third in the discus with his best mark of 65.33m.
It was no surprise that Sweden’s Daniel Stahl won the event with 66.49m. Kristjan Ceh of Sloevnia threw 65.39m for second.
The winner of the Women’s triple was also not surprising as Olympic champion and world record holder Yulimar Rojas soared out to a meet record 15.48m to take the win. Jamaica’s Shanieka Ricketts jumped 14.64 for the runner-up spot with her compatriot Kimberly Williams third with 14.41m.
Miller-Uibo, who is likely to run the 200m at the Olympics in Tokyo this summer, won in a world-leading and personal best 22.40 blowing away 400m hurdler Shamier Little who clocked a solid 23.40 for second place.
Miller-Uibo’s time, a Bahamian national record, tied the facility record set by Bianca Knight in 2008 and was just 0.07s off the American record set by Gwen Torrence in 1996.
The Bahamian said afterwards she was pleased with the run having wanted to get a chance to see what kind of shape she was in and was thankful to have finished the race healthy.
In the men’s equivalent, Richards, the 2018 Commonwealth Games 200m champion clocked 20.74 to win the 200m in a Trinidad and Tobago 1-2 finish. Deon Lendore clocked 20.89 relegating American Rodney Rowe (20.95) to third.
Meanwhile, in the Women’s 600m T&T’s Sparkle McKnight clocked 1:29.32 for third behind the USA’s Sammy Watson who won in 1:28.29 just ahead of Puerto Rico’s Gabby Scott (1:28.30).
Mario Burke ran 6.68 for third in the Men’s 60m that was won by the USA’s Maurice Eaddy in 6.63. Marvin Bracy was second in 6.66.
In the field, Jamaica’s Chanice Porter jumped a season-best 6.52m to finish second in the long jump event won by the USA’s Kendell Williams with her best jump of 6.60m. Yanis David of France was some distance back in third with 6.32m.
Richards, a finalist in the 200m at the Tokyo Olympics, opened his season with a spanking new lifetime best of 45.83 that won him the 400m at the New Balance Grand Prix in New York. The time was more than 0.5s faster than his previous indoor best of 46.37 set in January 2017 and has set the tone for what he hopes to be a successful 2022.
Still, it did not come as much of a surprise for the 2018 Commonwealth Games 200m champion.
“I was very excited but not so surprised to finally run under 46 seconds indoor,” he told Sportsmax.TV whole crediting his training partner, who just happens to hold the outdoor world record in the event.
“In the off-season, I trained with Wayde (van Niekerk) and he pushed me beyond my limits. I must say I appreciate him as a training partner.”
2021 was a disappointing year for Richards, who was eighth in the 200m final in Tokyo but he has taken the disappointments in stride and has already put them behind him knowing that he gave it his best shot.
“I didn’t get the results that I would’ve wanted in Tokyo but I know for a fact I gave 100 per cent each and every time I touched the track,” said Richards who intends to defend his Commonwealth title later this year.
“Some years are just better than others, I guess. Each and every season I try my best to be better than I was the year before.”
Despite his progress in the indoor 400m and training with van Niekerk, Richards said there should not be any expectation of him stepping up to the longer sprint.
"I’ve always been more of a speed runner trying to put together a good 400m. I like the 400m but I have always felt comfortable over 200m plus the 400m hurts a lot," he said.
On a more sombre note, Richards’ career-best performance came less than a month after his friend, compatriot and fellow Olympian Deon Lendore perished in a motor vehicle accident in Texas. “Deon bai this one was for you. Love You, Bro,” Richards posted on Instagram after his race on Sunday.
It was the follow up to a previous post on January 11 when he described his late friend as an inspiration.
“You inspired an entire generation of athletes from your collegiate career teaching us to be confident, that anything is possible once you work hard enough.”
He told Sportsmax.TV that his performance in New York was his way of remembering his fallen comrade.
“It was a meaningful performance for me to pay tribute to Deon,” he said. “I was inspired by Deon’s achievements and his warrior spirit and I hope to inspire the younger generation just like he did.”
Richards plans on racing again in Birmingham, England, on February 19.
Richards, who delivered a stellar performance in front of several thousand cheering Jamaican fans, emphasized the stark contrast between the enthusiastic support he witnessed in Kingston and the often lukewarm reception track and field athletes receive back home.
A two-time Commonwealth Games 200m gold medalist, Richards highlighted the significant contributions track and field athletes have made to Trinidad and Tobago, lamenting the lack of recognition and support they receive compared to other sports. "Being real, in Trinidad and Tobago, track and field has been the biggest sport to bring back all the medals, and we don’t get that kind of recognition,” he remarked. “When it comes to sport, Trinidadians like cricket, they like football and will come out and support those two sports. But when it comes to us at trials, only people that are into track and field and families of track and field athletes would come out, and the stadium is basically empty."
Comparing the support Jamaican athletes receive, Richards noted, "At least Jamaicans will come out and watch you all compete, they’ll come out and support you. Even though they might judge Jamaican athletes harshly, they still give you all the support. We don’t have support like this, and I think that is very important for us."
Richards, who won 4x400m relay gold and 200m bronze at the 2017 World Championships in London, called on Trinidadians to rally behind their track and field athletes, especially in an Olympic year when the pressure to perform is immense. "Come out and support us. If you support us and we don’t do well and you judge us harshly, I will take that because you come out. But if you never come out, you can't judge us so harshly," he said.
Regarding his close friend who died tragically in a motor-vehicle crash in the USA in January 2022, Richards reveals that he thinks about his late friend constantly.
"All the time, boy. All the time," Richards said. "I want everybody to know how important he was. He led a strong generation of athletes from Trinidad and Tobago—myself, Machel Cedenio, Asa Guevara. A lot of us looked up to him."
Lendore, he said, remains a influential figure for him and his fellow athletes. "I feel like we only appreciate athletes when they’re gone, and I would not like that to happen to any other athletes again. I’m trying to push the narrative of appreciating the athletes now for when they do well so even when they’re done and even when they pass on, we still remember them and appreciate them for what they have done for the country," the 2022 World Indoor 400m champion concluded.
The 2016 Olympic champion ran 7.53 while holding off the challenge of American Michael Dickson who crossed in 7.58. Trinidad and Tobago’s Ruebin Walters was third in 7.68.
In the women’s equivalent, Great Britain’s Tiffany Porter won in 7.95 just managing to hold off a fast-finishing Brittany Anderson, who was 0.02 behind in 7.97. Gabbi Cunningham was third in 8.08. Rushelle Burton returning to competition from injury was fourth in 8.20.
For the second week running Nigeria’s Blessing Okagbare managed to hold off Christania Williams in the 60m dash. This time, however, the Nigerian ran a personal best of 7.10 after separating from the Jamaican who equalled her personal best of 7.14.
Teahna Daniels of the USA was third in a season-best 7.17.
The winner of the Women’s 400m was determined over two heats by time trial and Shamier Little was easily the fastest winning Heat One in a personal best 51.33. Shakima Wimbley also of the US took second after winning Heat Two in 52.12.
Jamaica’s Shian Salmon ran a personal best of 52.85 for second in Heat One but was third overall.
In the men's event, Michael Cherry of the USA won heat one in a personal best 45.24 for the win. Second and third were determined by a battle between Deon Lendore of Trinidad and Tobago and Christopher Taylor of Jamaica. Lendore emerged as the second-place finisher after winning Heat 2 in 46.08 to Taylor' 46.09, which was good enough for third overall.
Laquan Nairn jumped a personal best and national record 8.16m in the Men’s Long Jump but had to settle for second as the USA’s Marquis Dendy won the event with a world-leading 8.21m on his final jump of the competition.
Charles Brown of the USA was third with a jump of 7.81m.
The 2019 World Championships 400m bronze medalist, who shocked her fans with lifetime bests of 10.77 and 21.82 at her national championships a week ago, ran an impressive 22.10 to win the 200m ahead of Marie Josee Ta Lou, who delivered a season-best 22.36.
Namibia’s Beatrice Masilingi was third in 22.65, a season-best time and national record.
Earlier, in one of the fastest races run this season, Natoya Goule ran close to her 800m lifetime best of 1:56.15 when she finished second to Cuba’s Rose Mary Almanza in the two-lap event.
The diminutive Jamaican clocked a season-best 1:56.44 after chasing the Cuban, who set a new meet record and a brand new personal best of 1:56.28.
Kate Grace ran 1:57.36 for third.
It was a similar story in the men’s 400m where Grenada’s Kirani James and Trinidad’s Leon Lendore engaged in a scrap with 50m to go before James found enough to hold on for victory in 44.63. Lendore ran a season-best 44.73 for second place.
Leimarvin Bonevacia of the Netherlands was also closing fast but ran out of real estate to finish third in 44.80, a season-best.
Gayle equalled his season-best of 8.55m which was aided by a trailing wind of 2.2m/s that saw him emerge the victor in the long jump. Cuba’s long-jump sensation Juan Miguel Echevarria jumped 8.29m for second place.
Thomas Montler was third. The Swede jumped a personal best leap of 8.23m.
Alisson dos Santos further established himself as one of the best 400m hurdlers in the world this year when he ran 47.33 to win in a new lifetime best and area record, eclipsing the record he set in Oslo on July 1 when Karsten Warholm set a new world record of 46.70.
Turkey’s Yasmani Coppello ran a season-best 48.19 for second place. Jamaica’s Kemar Mowatt also ran a season-best 48.75 for third.
The women’s event was a classic as the Netherlands’ Femke Bol and the USA’s Shamier Little raced stride for stride to the line with the former just managing to cross first in a new lifetime best of 52.37. The time was also a Diamond League record, national record and meet record.
Little ran a lifetime best of 52.39 in the race where the first three across the line in under 53 seconds as Anna Rhyzhykova clocked a personal best and national record of 52.96.
Jamaica’s Janieve Russell ran 54.08 for fourth while Leah Nugent was sixth in 55.01.
The 29-year-old from Arima, whose 400m personal best was 44.36, was part of the Trinidad and Tobago team that won bronze in the Men’s 4x400m at the 2012 London Olympics and silver at the 2015 World Championships in the same event.
Individually, Lendore won bronze medals in the 400m at the World Indoor Championships, in Oregon, in 2016, where he was also part of T&T's bronze medal-winning 4x400m team and Birmingham in 2018.
A three-time Pan Am Junior Championships silver medallist, Lendore also had a wonderful junior career, which resulted in him excelling at Texas A&M University, winning the Bowerman award in 2014.
President of the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee, Brian Lewis, reacted to the unfortunate news.
“Words cannot adequately express our sadness at the devastating and untimely loss. Deon has flown the Trinidad and Tobago flag with pride, honour, patriotism, and an indomitable will throughout his career while helping and inspiring many. We express our deepest and heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, teammates, coaches, and all who he would have touched. May Deon Rest and Sleep in Eternal Peace,” he said.
Lendore represented T&T at three Olympic Games in 2012, 2016 and 2021 and three World Championships in 2013, 2015 and 2019.
The Texas A&M Track & Field team will unveil a memorial for Aggie Hall of Fame member Deon Lendore at the McFerrin-12 Degree Invitational on Friday, January 10, at the R.A. 'Murray' Fasken '38 Indoor Track & Field facility.
Lendore, who competed for Texas A&M from 2012-2015, tragically passed away in January 2022 in a car crash in Texas.
Also, at the meet held at the Ansin Sports Complex, the training ground of Briana Williams, the 19-year-old emerging star broke her national U20 record for the third time in what was her sixth race in a week.
Thompson-Herah led from start to finish to take the 100m in 10.87. The USA’s Tiana Bartoletta established a season-best 10.96, just ahead of Williams. The 2018 World U20 Champion lowered her previous best of 10.98 set on May 30, to 10.97.
The reigning Olympic 200m champion would end the day unbeaten running a season-best 22.54 to win the 200m. The USA’s Kyra Jefferson was second in 22.77 with Great Britain’s Jodie Williams third in 23.10.
Trayvon Bromell ran a world-leading 9.77 to win the 100m ahead of Marvin Bracy, who clocked a season-best 9.85 for second place. Chris Royster was third in 10.08.
Daveon Collins won the men’s 200m in 20.73 beating Kyle Greaux of Trinidad and Tobago and Teray Smith of the Bahamas who ran 20.84 and 20.92 for second and third, respectively.
Deon Lendore of Trinidad and Tobago won the 400m in 45.48 to beat 2008 Olympic champion Lashawn Merritt, who ran a modest 46.22. Alonzo Russell of the Bahamas ran 46.44 for third.
The USA’s Wadeline Jonathas won the women’s one-lap sprint in 51.91. Jamaica’s Tiffany James-Rose was second in 52.74 while Nnenya Hailey was third in 52.90.
In the field, Fedrick Dacres threw a season-best 66.01m in the men’s discus but lost to Samoa’s Alex Rose who threw 67.12m to win. Kai Chang threw 63.33m for third place.
In the 400m hurdles, world champion Dalilah Mohammad was an easy winner in 54.50. Jamaica’s Ronda Whyte finished second in 55.65 with Yanique Haye-Smith of the Turks and Caicos Islands clocking 56.12 for third.
The men’s race was won by Costa Rica’s Gerald Drummond in 49.47 over Jamaica’s Shawn Rowe who ran 49.53 for second place. Eric Cray from the Philippines was third in 49.68.
Ajee Wilson ran out an easy winner in the 800m clocking 2:01.50, more than a second faster than Jamaica’s Jasmine Fray who came home in 2:02.60. Siofra Cleirigh Buttner ran 2:02.71 for third.
Michael Dixon won the 110m hurdles in 13.16 over Ronald Levy, who clocked 13.23. Zaza Wellington ran 13.44 for third.
Nigeria’s Tobi Amusan ran 12.44 for her victory in the 100m hurdles, winning by the proverbial city-block over Costa Rica’s Andrea Vargas, who clocked 12.76 and the Bahamas’ Pedrya Seymour, 12.86.
