Caribbean Sports Network

RICHARD “TORPEDO” THOMPSON clinched the sprint double yesterday as the curtain came down on the NAAA/Sagicor National Track and Field Championships at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo. After successfully defending his 100m crown on Saturday, Thompson returned to take the 200m honours in front of his adoring fans.

But with a top-quality field which included 2009 champion and reigning NCAA 200m winner Rondell Sorillo, “World” 400m bronze medallist Renny Quow and Emmanuel Callendar, Thompson had to be at his best to take the gold medal.

The Olympic 100m silver medallist, although not known for his exploits over 200m, bolted from the starting blocks to build an early lead. And with 50m to go, Thompson showed no signs of fading, lengthening his strides to win the gold in a time of 20.37 seconds.

Last year’s champion Sorillo had to settle for second place, crossing the finish line in 20.62 seconds. Quow was third in 20.79.

Simplex runner Moriba Morrain also completed a double crown, winning the Boys Under-20 200m event to follow up on his success in the 100m.

Morrain clocked a fast 21.21 second to finish ahead of Zenith’s Kristian Joseph (22.20) and Eastonians’ Eliseo Callender (22.72). In the female equivalent, Kai Selvon sprinted to victory in 23.33 followed by Kamaria Durant (24.21) and Marissa Gale (24.63).

Double CARIFTA gold medallist and record holder Jehue Gordon took the gold in the Men’s 400m hurdles despite missing his stride in attempting to clear the penultimate hurdle.

Gordon, the clear favourite, had already built a sizeable lead with just two hurdles to go but appeared to misjudge his jump and lost precious time to regain his rhythm.

He still clinched first place easily in 49.96 seconds, matching his fourth fastest time. Emmanuel Mayers took the silver in 50.54 while bronze went to Adrian Mann who crossed the finish line in 51.67.

Janeil Bellille, a silver medallist at the 2008 World Juniors, won the Women’s 400m hurdles with ease, stopping the clock at 57.77 seconds. In second position was Gabriel Cumberbatch who timed 1:02.13.

Petrotrin Palo Seco’s Geraldine George was the undisputed winner of the Women’s Javelin event with a throw of 41.11m. In fact, each of George’s six throws would have been sufficient to take first place as she was a class above the field.

Success’ Venice Fredericks was the runner-up with an effort of 35.91m while Palo Seco’s Gwendolyn Smith was third with a 35.66m throw.

Perennial Carifta Gold medallist Gavyn Nero was another double champion at the national meet, winning the Men’s 1500m and 800m events. Nero, running for Memphis, added the 800m gold to his haul yesterday with a clinical performance.

Nero crossed first in 1:51.09 followed closely by Jameel Walcott of Neon Trackers in 1:52.76. Palo Seco’s George Smith earned the bronze with a time of 1:55.52. Melissa De Leon was the winner in the female final, clocking 2:05.36.

Edward Nelson blew away the field in the Boys Under-20 800m final, storming home in 2:00.76. Brent Leben (2:03.39) and Nathaniel Niles (2:03.56) placed second and third respectively.

In the Girls Under-20 event, Alena Brooks claimed the glory for Memphis, crossing in 2:13.60. Club-mate Dawnel Collymore could only manage 2:20.24 to take the silver while Renelle Kernahan of Mayaro Athletics was a distant third in 2:48.36.

Toco’s Seon Michael Stafford clinched the top spot in the Boys Under-20 Long Jump, leaping 7.07m on his third attempt. Zenith’s Atiba Wright put up a good challenge but could not produce a jump greater than 7.03m and had to settle for silver. Kerry Benjamin of Memphis was third with a 6.96m effort.