Spectacular and devastating were the two words being used in abundance last Saturday night, as fans described the fourth-round knockout victory scored by World Boxing Association (WBA) featherweight champion, Jamaica's Nicholas 'The Axeman' Walters, over Mexico's Alberto Garza at the American Bank Center, in Corpus Christi,Texas.
[Jason Morgan], 30, who broke the national record twice this season, and who along with Traves Smikle became the first two Jamaicans to ever represent the country at the Olympics by achieving the Olympic 'A' standard of 65 metres, went into the Games with a season best of 67.15m. However, at the Games he was a shadow of himself, failing to throw beyond 60 metres and was subsequently eliminated during the preliminary round. "Yes, I should have competed better at the Games but I think I became too relaxed, too complacent," he conceded.
Professor [Wayne McLaughlin], a biochemist, responded saying that while the stimulant was of a higher concentration in the athlete s sample - 720 nanograms per millilitre - it would be difficult to say since the effects of the stimulant on an athlete vary depending on the individual. He did acknowledge, however, that the stimulant could have had a direct effect on the athlete s neurotransmitters, which could mean that the athlete may have been aware of the effects on his body.
Waterhouse had the better of the champions on the previous occasions they met, and as Harbour View's closest rivals, a win over them would have given Waterhouse something to hold on to. [Nicholas Beckett] was adamant that they would not be beaten, and especially not at their home ground. Amid celebrations of players, club officials and spectators, Harbour View Football Club's captain, Montrose Phinn (left), is presented the Red Stripe Premier League (RSPL) trophy by (from second left) Edward Seaga, chairman, Premier League Clubs Association, Erin Mitchell, brand manager, Red Stripe and Captain Horace Burrell, president, Jamaica Football Federation, following the Monday Night R5PL match between the east Kingston team and Waterhouse at Harbour View Stadium. Harbour View won 2-0. "One of the Waterhouse defenders was saying to watch me because I am good in the air. I turned back, giving the impression that I was not interested and then peeled off and headed back in to score," said Beckett of his fourth goal of the season.
"It's hard to explain," [Bolt] said. "I don't really know what went wrong." "I was looking to come here for a good time. I guess it's one of those days," he said. "I just never got going." "I did some starts and I was flying from the blocks so I said, "Yeah, this is good". I can't tell you what happened."
"It's the training of PE teachers, and if they don't have a PE teacher, then another that's interested in physical activity and getting children healthy! its not only about getting them involved in a formal sport, there are many children with abilities and we iust want our children to know now important it is for them to be physical and see the emotional and health benefits of getting that habit from an early age, [Heidi Clarke] added. "It helps to foster leadership, friendships and all of those things to exert energy positively."
"Usain (Bolt) and I said let's go to Australia and play some cricket; let's check out the Big Bash and see what it is all about," he noted. "With this hard training in track and field and I know that cricket training is not that hard and I can make the team and it is my first love, I would go to play cricket," he declared. "I want to finish this (athletics) as early as possible, so I can play my cricket: like somewhere around 30, 29, 28. in that region," he added. [Yohan Blake] was last month given the honour of being the first noncricketer to ring the bell at the 'home of cricket', Lord's, in England. He did so ahead of the start of the third Test match between England and South Africa.
His season-opener, which is just six centimetres off the A standard mark of 66 metres, saw [Jason Morgan] being ranked number one in the world at the time. He has since been supplanted by Australia's 22-year-old phenom, Julian Wruk, who since March 30 has recorded throws of 66.0lm, 66.05m and 66.32m. Morgan's mark now ranks him the second-best thrower in the world this year.
'It wasn't easy," said Jamaica coach Winfried Schäfer. "Costa Rica are a very good team. At 1-0 down, I change team. The goalkeeper did well in the first half and not too well in the second half. We still have [a] chance. Next game is against US in US in a month's time. We thank 'Tuffy'." Striker [Jermaine] 'Tuffy' [Anderson] hails the Jamaican crowd following the 1-1 draw against Costa Rica in CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying action at the National Stadium. Anderson scored for Jamaica.
"I think we will do fairly well," said [Aiken]. "I think we have a good set of girls going over there that will do us very proud. We know the task ahead, and we know what we are going to come up against, and so we just need to put it together as a team," added Aiken, who plays for the Queensland Firebirds in the ANZ Championships in Australia and New Zealand.
[Campbell-Brown] has been under scrutiny with Asafa Powell and Sherone Simpson also testing positive for banned substances, which also forced them to miss the 2013 World Championships. She was suspended pending a Jamaican disciplinary committee review, which deemed a reprimand sufficient because the banned substance was not used for performance enhancement. "Yes, I lost out on the opportunity to compete for most of 2013 and the chance to defend my World 200m title, however, I press on," noted Campbell-Brown, who missed the IAAF World Championships in Athletics in Moscow Russia last August.
"I don't know, I really hope that I am there though. I will be working hard and hopefully I can improve my times and start to run some really fast times again," [Asafa Powell] said. "But if I keep doing that, then I will be there (2016 Olympic Games)." "I would love to be in Brazil," said Powell Thursday, August 23 during an interactive online question and answer session with his fans through his sponsor LIME. A very light-hearted Powell, while joking about his age, says he will be working hard to give himself a chance of making the trip to Rio and he is hopeful that he will still be active by the time the next instalment of the Olympic Games comes around.
JAMAICA'S PRIME Minister Portia Simpson Miller says athletes who represented the country in last month's Olympic Games in London will be rewarded for their efforts. Earlier this month, Sports Minister Natalie Neita-Headley announced plans to stage celebrations in honour of the athletes on the weekend of National Heroes' Day, around the middle of October.
Jamaican [James Beckford], a two-time World Championship medallist, posted a long jump victory at 8.09 metres, while Trinidad and Tobago's Ato Modibo and the U.S. Virgin Islands' Láveme Jones logged victories on the track. Jones clocked a wind-assisted 22.67 seconds to land the women's 200 metres, chased by American Wyllesheia Myrick (23.05) and Britain's Emily Freeman (23.15). In the women's 400 metres, Guyana's 2002 Commonwealth Games champion Aliann Pompey clocked 52.41 seconds for the runner-up spot behind Ireland's Joanne Cuddihy (52.26).
We appreciate that in Mrs [Campbell-Brown]'s case, JADCO operated merely as an agent for the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF), under whose auspices she performed last year when she returned a positive drug test. It is also noted that JADCO was not the agency responsible for the adjudication of Mrs Campbell-Brown's case.
Jamaica's veronica Campbell-Brown waves after winning the Women's 100 meters at the Diamond League Athletics meeting on Sunday May 15. in Shanghai, China. American Lashinda Demus. the meet's record holder, finished runner up in a season's best time of 54.58 seconds, with Olympic and World champion Melaine Walker of Jamaica coming third, also in an SB 54.96. The best of the other Caribbean performances came from Jamaican Dwight Thomas. He also finished fourth in the men's 110 hurdles, clocking a season's best 13.31.
"It was a really hard tournament, but I surprised myself by reaching the semis," said [Bicknell]. "These players are very good, but the tournaments I have played earlier this year have really prepared me well." "I would like to thank my parents and coaches, who have helped to develop my career," a very elated Bicknell said. "He has improved tremendously, listens well, is very competitive, trains non-stop and is very focused. I know he will win one of these high-level tournaments in the future," predicted [Mel Spence].
[Yohan Blake], who will be defending his 10Om crown in Moscow next summer, is widely known to be an avid fan of the sport. Several decent showings in local cricket competitions were expected to be a precursor to his appearance at the massive Big Bash Twenty20 league in Australia in a few weeks. However, it seems Blake and his coach, Glen Mills, have struck a deal of sorts. "Coach (Glen) Mills had a talk with me and he told me that I have the (100m World) title to defend, so I should focus on that and then the other year (2014) is going to be an off year, so I can play my cricket and also run, so I am just going to wait until next year to look at the cricket," Blake told The Gleaner.
"I am feeling confident more than ever and I think next year it's going to be really hard for anybody coming up against me because I will be stronger, I will be much fitter and I will be much faster. Each year I grow day by day," said [Yohan Blake], nicknamed The Beast' for his work ethic. During an interview on local television in late 2008, [Bolt] named Blake as "a potential threat" to his reign. "My true potential was not at the Olympics because if you look back at my races after the Olympics I was running really fast. I was really nervous. If you touch me I would have fallen. That's how nervous I was but I covered it up pretty well," said Blake.
Bolt will be part of a star-studded cast that includes compatriot Veronica Campbell-Brown in the women's 100, as well as LaShawn Merritt and Oscar Pistorius in the 400, Christian Cantwell and Dylan Armstrong in the shot put, Dayron Robles at 110m hurdles, and Barbora Spotakova in the javelin.
[Bolt], who continued his global domination at the IAAF World Championships in Moscow, winning gold medals in the 100m, 200m and the 4x100m relay, added to his IAAF World Athlete of the Year Award by copping the Most Outstanding Performer (Male) for 2012 and 2013 awards at the function.
In one of the rare occasions that the big sprinter failed to break the 10-second barrier, he was chased to the line by Racers Track club teammate Kemar Bailey-Cole, who posted an identical time. Another teammate of Bolt's Antiguan Daniel Bailey was third in a time of 10.23.
"A few months ago, a representative from Alpha Boys' Home reached out to [Nugent Walker] (Walker) asking if he would consider asking me to visit the boys', home. NJ shared the convo with me and I considered it a no-brainer to accept the invitation. The rep thought it would be great motivation to the boys for me to come by and just share my experience with them, and most importantly believing in one's dreams and working hard towards it. I said to NJ, however, I just didn't want to go share just words of encouragement, but also offer some gifts, thus we contacted Puma and got some items." Bolt, one of the German sportswear company's most recognisable brand ambassadors explained.
"Suppose I don't make any quicker times in the 100, I would love to be able to run 18-something seconds in the 200, even if it was an 18.99 race," [Bolt] said in his 291-page book. "I don't think it's totally out of reach in the next season or so. Seriously, who would be surprised if I did it? Who's going to stop me from going faster?" Bolt asked. 'The only man who can bring an end to my status as a star of track and field in the next couple of years is me, and I'm a phenomenon, a serious competitor - a legend for my generation. Believe me, my time isn't up just yet."
WORLD'S FASTEST man Usain Bolt success could be due to simply human evolution says Canadian Olympic 100m gold medallist Donovan Bailey Following up on a promising youth career, Bolt has gone on to dominate world sprinting since bursting on to the scene big time, with three gold medals at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.
MORE ACCUSTOMED breaking records at high speed, sprint sensation Usain Bolt will slow his pace later this with the staging of the 'Usain Bolt Walkathon'. "I run really fast but the truth is that I'm a really slow walker." [Usain Bolt] laughed during Sunday's. May 15 launch at the Bustamante Hospital for Children for the event, which is scheduled for sometime in November this year. "This partnership is very important and will help to protect the future of this country," Bolt said. 'It's a big step for me. Over the years, I nave been saying that kids are the future so when I was approached to do this, it was a real honour and I'm looking forward to continue doing my best to do what I can to help the kids."
The world's fastest man had expressed some doubt regarding his participation at the Rio showpiece, which will take place in four years' time. Bolt, after emulating his performance in Beijing four years ago and London, a few weeks ago, the sprinter admitted to being uncertain about the future and a possible target. It seems, however, that the sprinter is now a bit more certain. While admitting that he is likely to be past his prime at the next Olympic Games, in which the sprinter will turn 30 years old, he will certainly compete.
None were brighter than the wildly popular Usain Bolt's world record sprint double, and the Jamaican's three gold medals overall. Bolt shattered his own 100 meters mark of 9.69 seconds, set at last year's Olympic Games in China, with a stunning 9.58 on the second night of the WCA. Tyson Gay of the United States finished "second in an American record 9.71, and Jamaica's Asaf a Powell third in 9.84. The 6' 5'' sprint star, who celebrated his 23rd birthday during the WCA, returned days later to the Olympic Stadium track to clock 19.19 in the 200 meters and break his other individual world mark set at the '08 Olympics. That result took [Bolt] more by surprise. In the women's 4x400 relay, Jamaica's team of Rosemarie White, Novlene Williams-Mills, Shereefa Lloyd and Shericka [Gordon Williams] finished second to the U.S. A silver was also earned by Cuba's Yarelis Barrios in the women's discus, while T&T's Renny Quow won bronze in the 400 meters. His country's team of Darrel Brown, Marc Burns, Emmanuel Callander and Richard Thompson, captured silver in the 4x100.
As expected, the world's top athletes - Usain Bolt and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce - walked away with top honours at Scotiabank/Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) Golden Cleats Awards. I will be looking forward to an extraordinary year with these young athletes as they continue to dominate, said Fraser-Pryce, in reference to the likes of IAAF World Youth stars Bryan, Thompson, Michael 0'Hara, Jaheel Hyde, Martin Manley and Marvin Williams, who helped Jamaica to a historic table-topping performance at the championships held in Donetsk, Ukraine, earlier this year.
Jamaica's Usain Bolt and [Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pruce]-Pryce, along with Jessica Ennis, Missy Franklin, Andy Murray, Michael Phelps, Ye Shiwen, Bradley Wiggins and Serena Williams, are among those who received nominations when the shortlist was announced in Rio de Janeiro Monday, December 17. With the exception of Lindsey Vonn, who won her fourth overall skiing World Cup in five years, the nominations for the Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year Award are all dominated by the Olympics. Jamaica's Shelly- Ann Fraser-Pryce, the fastest woman on earth after successfully defending her 100m Olympic title, and Britain's Jessica Ennis, who won the heptathlon gold in front of an ecstatic home crowd, are also among the six nominees.
"We put that deal together with [Sheri-Ann Brooks] because we believe that her commitment to Caribbean sports, to Jamaica and to young people is consistent with what Solotel wants from its brand ambassadors and also mirrors Solotel's commitment to providing support and quality service throughout the Caribbean as well," [Kenneth Lewis] added.
[By the way [Anthony Morgan], in another University publication you're quoted as saying: "I think the bigger issue is how little we know about the history and historical contributions of Jamaicans." Well, the issue is way bigger than Jamaica; it's a "race" issue, targeting and ridiculing Black people, all of whom are people of African descent, sons and daughters of slaves.] So those students, froshers, "...were just having fun," eh? There was "nò mal-intent?" according to director [Michel Patry]. Surely they could've found another and more interesting and humanly innocuous way to have (even more) fun. The blackface skit is a sad cliché, it's passé, plus it's not funny. Except for [White] people as they seek ways to fulfill their final stage of life: their pursuit of happiness, by any means. It serves us right; it's the 'house divided' maxim. We are fractured from pulling in so many directions. We lack cohesion and the essential elements that hold people together to secure a strong !foundation. We've long cut the ties that bind, so it's very easy for people to have their way with us.
In the Class II race for boys ages 14-15, St. Jago's Raheem Chambers clocked 10.29 seconds to smash [Yohan Blake]'s mark of 10.34 set in 2006. He was followed home by Jhevaughn Matherson of Kingston College, who was timed in 10.37. The K.C. sprinter would turn the table on Chambers in the 200 meters the following day. The frenzied crowd had barely settled down after the Class II100, when K.C.'s Zharnel Hughes, who is from Anguilla, stunned them again with 10.12 seconds in the Class I event for ages 16-19. He emerged victor from a stirring battle with Jevaughn Minzie of Bog Walk High, whose 10.16 also bettered Blake's 2007 mark of 10.21. Champs' final day offered even more record shattering performances in front a capacity National Stadium crowd of roughly 35,000, with hundreds more locked outside. Calabar's Javon Francis, a medalist on Jamaica's 4x400 meters team at the 2013 senior World Championships in Athletics, toppled the Class I 400 meters set by Jamaica's current super sprinter Usain Bolt in 2003. Francis clocked 45 seconds, erasing Bolt's mark of 45.35.
[Veronica Campbell-Brown] found herself back in seventh place at one stage in the race, but powered her way past the field, which included longstanding nemesis Allyson Felix, to win in 11.01 seconds. Felix (11.13) placed fifth, with Trinidad and Tobago's KellyAnn Baptiste (1 1 .06) second and Jamaica's Carrie Russell (11.08) third. "I felt a little bit of energy in my last couple steps to push forward. It was so electrifying (inside the stadium), I could hear people in the stands saying, 'It is your home, don't let anybody beat you." It is always good to compete here, it is very fun and the crowd motivates me a lot, so it is great."
No doubt the friendly, but highly-charged rivalry between Jamaica's two world record holders. [Yohan Blake] and Bolt will be the focus of attention after what has been a highlight year for both. But other Caribbean sprinters such as St. Kitts' [Kim Collins] and Trinidad and Tobago's [Richard Thompson] and fellow Jamaican Powell cannot be ruled out of the medal mix in the 100 and 200 meters. The 22-year-old Blake made a show of his aspirations when he easily won last year's World Championships after Bolt was disqualified: he then made a permanent dent in Bolt's armor of invincibility by clobbering him twice (100m and 200m) at Jamaica's Olympic trials earlier this month. Other Caribbean athletes poised to make their mark in London are Grenada's Rondell Bartolomew, (400m), Ryan Braithwaite à former World Championship gold medalist of Barbados, (110m Hurdles); St. Vincent and the Grenadines' Kineke Alexander (Women's 400m), Antiguan sprinter Daniel Bailey, (100m), and Guyana's Aliann Pompey, a former Commonwealth Games gold medalist (Women's 400m).
"We're all big men, it won't affect our performance. We have to get on with it. It's not a case of what I've said upsetting the team," [Chris Gayle] said. "I am definitely not giving up the captaincy after this Test match. I think I still have a big part to play in West Indies cricket," Gayle said. "It takes a toll on your body and your mental strength. It can drain you a bit," said Gayle, whom the Guardian quoted on Tuesday as saying he preferred Twenty20 cricket to Test cricket.
[Yohan Blake], regarded by many as a potential heir to top local athletes like former world record holder Asafa Powell and current double world record holder, Usain Bolt, has been creating waves at the senior level for the past few seasons. Add the above to his impressive achievements at the junior level, the national junior record holder and tied with Nigeria's Seun Ogunkoya as the youngest sprinter to have broken the 10-second barrier, it seems Racers may well have another star in their midst.
Alphanso Cunningham hit world record form last Friday, July 26 to capture Jamaica s first gold medal at the 2013 International Paralympic Committee Athletics World Championships in Lyon, France. The 32-year-old Cunningham won the F52-54 Javelin final with a throw of 24.30 metres to claim the country s second medal to date.
"The team that Jamaica currently has, I am confident will make us all very proud," [Horace I Burrell]- said, while speaking at a sponsorship announcement cere^ mony for the local coaching school held at the Jamaica Football Federation's (JFF) head office, Wednesday, April 4. "I was speaking with the President of the United States Football' Federation and he tells me that the US are now trembling because they know that Jamaica has a strong front line and of all the teams in CONCACAF, they are afraid of two teams. Jamaica and Mexico." Burrell said.
'It's a phenomenal season, starting from the first track meet indoors when I ran two personal best times in the 60m and 60m hurdles and it just transferred to the outdoor season. I'm very happy about how things have gone this year," said Williams, a student at the Graham-coached Johnson C. Smith University. 'It really didn't cross my mind at all, to be honest. During the season my coach and I spoke and he asked me if I wanted to go to Jamaica and to the trials and naturally my answer was 'yes', because I always look forward to competing in Jamaica. But making the team and winning at trials was never in my head," Williams admitted.
News broke on July 14 that five Jamaican athletes had failed drug tests at the national championships in June, setting off one of the biggest drug scandals ever faced by Jamaican athletes and authorities. In addition to [Smikle], global stars, former 100-metre world record holder Asafa Powell and Olympic 100-metre silver medalist She rone Simpson, as well as Allison Randall and 19-year-old Damar Robinson also failed drug tests. The news broke one month after it was announced that Veronica Campbell Brown, another global star and two-time Olympic 200-metre champion, had failed a drug test after competing at the Jamaica International Invitational in May.
Former Herbert Morrison Technical star also sprinted his way into the history books, becoming the first athlete to win back-to-back 100m titles at the Championships.
Rupert Green and Judith Dinnal on Sunday, January 5 won the respective male and female Run sections of inaugural LIME Foundation 6K Walk/Run held in Waterford in Portmore, St Catherine. Green, who ran unattached, won in 19:00.82 minutes over Kemar Leslie, 19:25.09, and Robin Rowe, 20:09.42, both of Mavis Bank Track Club. Among the women, Dinnal was a comfortable winner in 25:37.43, over Jilliane Lewis, 28:38.89, of We Got The Runs, and Floret Kelly of Double Marchers, who was third in 30:49.38.
"I just could not find the money to go to Boston at short notice, plus I don't believe that to represent Jamaica, I should have had to travel to Boston at my expense, " [Dusard] reiterated. "We appointed a coach who had a dojo in Boston. We took up this opportunity to train there to evaluate the guys. We already had four athletes representing Jamaica in Boston. Would it be fair for them to come to Jamaica to train?" "Yes, he would have to travel at his expense because we don't have that amount of funds," [Chris Chok] said, adding that Dusard had not trained with the JTF locally since 2011 and needed to be assessed.
Two-time Olympic 100 metres champion, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce (second left), winning the women's Olympic Development 100 metres in 11 .47 seconds at the Queen's/Grace Jackson Invitational meet at the National Stadium Saturday, January 26. Two time Olympic 100-metre champion ShellyAnn Fraser-Pryce displayed good early-season form to win the women's sprint event at the Queen's/Grace Jackson Invitational meet at the National Stadium on Saturday, January 26.
Florida-based [Andre Berto], holder of the World Boxing Council (WBC) welterweight title, announced in a press release last month that he was ""physically and emotionally unable to prepare" for his clash with [Shane Mosley] and withdrew from the Jan. 30 main bout in Las Vegas. "I'm sorry for the losses that Andre and all of the Haitian people are suffering. I have everyone in my prayers," Mosley added.
"I got a lot of offers from a number of North American colleges, but I chose UWI, Mona because I don't really plan on leaving Jamaica. I was supposed to leave but decided to stay. I have grown and developed my skills here and I think it is the best option for me," [Federick Dacres] said. Ten sports scholarships were also awarded to footballers, with former Wolmer's Boys' goalkeeper Amal Knight leading a contingent, which also includes Taniel McKenzie, Davian Montaque, Shamal Thomas, Mitch Wright, Jerondy Henry, Daryl Denny and females Samantha Watson, Alicia Richards and Trudi Ann Young. The UWI netball programme will also be strengthened with the acquisition of Terry Ann Jones and national Under-21 Sunshine Girl Antionette Stone. Basketballers Kedar Clarke and Damion Johnson will also take up sports scholarships, along with volleyballers Solene Walker and Wolmer's Girls standout Vanessa Jones.
[Dennis Johnson] received TJB's Pioneer Award and Johnson was recognized by the United States government as a Caribbean icon. He was presented with a U.S.
Jamaica also earned two silver medals, - Warren Weir in the men's 200 meters and the men's 4x400 meters relay. Nesta Carter won bronze in the 100, to round out Jamaica's total. Other Caribbean nations to reach the medal podium included Cuba, with a silver and two bronze for 23rd overall. Pedro Pablo Pichardo was second in the men's triple jump, while Yarelys Barrios and Yarisley Silva won bronze in the women's discus throw and pole vault, respectively.
"When I look at the 200m, the record is so far out there, so for me I just try to improve each year and it's definitely not at the top of my list," said Felix touching on the records. "I never like to say never as far as the record is concerned but realistically speaking, I do think that they are very fast; I don't think at least in the 200m where my focus is. I don't think that record is going anytime soon. I can be wrong because track is like that, where amazing things happen that you are not suspecting." "I love running with Veronica and I love high-quality races and I wish we could meet more, it's just how it works out sometimes," Felix added.
A quartet of Jamaicans, led by world silver and Pan Am gold medallist, Nicholas Dussard, will take the mat at the annual International Tae kwon-do Federation's (ITF) New York Open, in Queens, September 29. The New York Open is an ITF event and [Ashieka Dyer]'s coach, [Jason McKay], said things could be tougher for the 19-year-old in Queens. "However, this is ITF, a different type of fight. She was left off the squad for Spain, next month, as she had failed to impress at the ITF World Cup in Brighton, England, last year, which was largely used to determine the squad for Spain."Dyer's form from Brighton had also cost her a spot on the female combined team at the Gold Cup in Orlando, where Subrina Richards performed creditably and landed a spot in Spain.
[Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce] burst on to the scene as a fresh-faced youngster in 2008, winning the local national trials before going on to shock the nation and the crown by claiming the title at the Beijing Olympic Games. Fraser-Pryce clocked an impressive 10.78 seconds to lead a Jamaican sweep of the event finishing ahead of compatriots Sherone Simpson and Kerron Stewart.
"Overall, I'm just happy to come away with a win," said [Fraser-Pryce]. "Today I didn't run according to how I wanted but still came out with a viotory. That made me happy. There is a lot more room for improvement in the 200m, and I'm looking forward to more races to see how best I can put a complete race together." The men's 100m also featured three Jamaicans, but it was American Justin Gatlin. 9.97 - the Olympic lOOm bronze medallist, who crossed the line first in a tight finish; barely bettering his compatriot Mike Rodgers and Jamaican Olympic 4x1 00m relay gold-medal winner Neata Carter, who both posted season-best times of 9.99. Jamaican Shericka Williams struggled in sixth place, despite posting a season best 52.23 with 200m specialist [Felix] running second in 50.19 and Great Britain powerhouse Christine Ohuruogu finishing third in a 50.53 season's best.
Usain Bolt and his Jamaican teammate Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce have been shortlisted for the United States Sports Academy Athlete-of-the-Year Award 2013.
Jamaican sprinters Usain Bolt and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce had their names etched in history as the most decorated male and female athletes after they dominated the 14th World Athletics Championships 2013 held in Moscow between August 10 and 18. With two Olympiqf gold medals (2008 and 2012) already in her cabinet, Fraser-Pryce, also 26 years old, came to the championships ready to make a mark. Her pink dyed hair was an apt compliment to her pink nail polish and pink running shoes. Host country Russia topped the medal ranking with 17, including seven gold, while the USA snatched 25 medals, but only six gold medals. Jamaica also had six gold medals in its total tally of 9 medals.
Minister of Youth, Sport and Culture, Olivia 'Babsy' Grange, believes that newly crowned World 100m champion and the second-fastest man over 200m, Yohan Blake, is a source of inspiration for Jamaica's youth and encouraged the 21-yearold to remain humble and respectful. "I have a soft spot for Yohan and have always felt that he is a special athlete, having followed his career since he was a student at St Jago," Grange said. "So when Usain false started, I was confident that he would rise to the occasion and win. When Everyone was shocked about the false start, I was focused on Jamaica winning because I knew Yohan would make it happen."
"She is well trained and trains hard. She has injuries here or there but knows she is being depended on," he said. "She has delivered on three other occasions and will be there to deliver again." "It's kind of overwhelming in the sense that the team will be depending on me to take them to victory. Normally, it's Sheckema, now they're depending on me. I have a lot of nerves but I am sure I will pull through for my team," she said.
I thought that when we played against the last teams in the (Caribbean) final leg, those teams gave us an idea of what is to come in the CONCACAF final in terms of the physical characteristic of those players. I think that they will be a lot more explosive and also stronger than the Caribbean teams," said [Donovan Duckie]. "This will help us to enhance the develop - ment of our physical condition to be very competitive against them. It will also help us in our injury rehabilitation and to prevent injuries and also to develop specific explosiveness with more resistance training."
The manager of a "shocked and devastated" Jermaine Hue is questioning the Jamaica Football Federation's (JFF) liability after the Jamaican international midfielder was banned for nine months by the FIFA Disciplinary Panel following a antidoping rule violation. 'Jermaine (Hue) is shocked and devastated," said the Harbour View Football Club (HVFC) talisman's manager and uncle Michael Hue. "When he heard the news he was actually in training because he was hoping to be able to play in a short time. "In terms of the verdict, a nine month ban for the player; if you remember they had three matches in a short space of time ... Jermaine went to Honduras and complained about fatigue and was given the medication by the JFF's team doctor ... the doctor is employed to the football federation and it could have happened to any of the players there," Michael Hue said.
American professional basketball player Udonis Haslem will be visiting Jamaica August 11th for the 2nd year to host a Basketball camp (Hoop For Hope) for 500 youths in Ocho Rios Jamaica and in the Mountains of Nine Mile (Home of Bob Marley).
Udonis will make major donations to schools and girls home in the island of Jamaica which includes over 300 pairs of shoes, 100 computers, uniforms, basketballs and feminine products for Windsor Girls Home.
The trip is organized by Jamaican, Wesley Frater who is based in South Florida and the founder of Tournament of Champions, INC a Scholarship Negotiations, Sports Event Planning & Management, Athletic Training, School Consulting, and Caribbean Basketball Scouting Services company.
'It ranks right up there with getting my Test cap in 2000 at Queen's Park Oval and being knighted by the people of the Caribbean to say 'we want you to represent us'," [Wavell Hinds], president of the West Indies Players Association, said after topping three other nominees at the ceremony at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel last Wednesday night. The award's selection panel, headed by chairman Brian George, thought the 37year-old Hinds best exemplified the tenets of the award, which seeks to recognise a sporting personality who displays a high level of humility, integrity and discipline.
Alando Terrelonge, the lawyer representing embattled national sprinter Steve Mullinge, says in light of last weeks ruling by members of the Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission (JADCO) disciplinary panel not to accept into evidence an affidavit by Mullings, it is very likely that the case could be taken to the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS). According to Terrelonge, who along with Patrick Bailey are representing Mullings, they are looking at taking the case to CAS. They will base their argument on an unfair hearing, as Mullings in the affidavit explained to the panel that he could not attend the hearing due to the fact that he is being 'set up', and he is 'fearful for his life'.
"Certainly within the United States all of the top level athletes are excited about it. I think we will also get a lot of Caribbean athletes involved and hopefully a lot of the top Caribbean athletes as well," [Paul Doyle] added. 'We have five dates so far but we have interest from other cities since we made the announcement. We are adding entertainment aspect with a live band and cheerleaders." Doyle said. "We are hoping that within a couple of years the momentum of the series will build very quickly and it will grow into a viable option. These are very much made-for-tv events."
Sunday, the quartet of Brandon Tomlinson, Bernado Brady, Odane Skeen and Dexter Lee, produced a season best 39.55 seconds to pick up the silver medal in the boy's 4x100, finishing second behind the US, who won in a world-leading time of 38.93 seconds, the second fastest ever at these championships. Trinidad and Tobago picked up their second medal of the Championships as they finished third for the bronze in a season best 39.72 seconds.
"I could not have asked for a better start to my new position as Puma's CEO than to announce the best second quarter in Puma's history in terms of sales, a performance that underlines our ambition to achieve our sales target of euro3 billion for this year," said Franz Koch, CEO of Puma.
Amidst the shrill of excitement, Olympic athleticism, and national pride, Jamaica, recently celebrated fifty years of independence. Stringers for the Informer, on the ground in London , have eagerly shared photos of the simultaneous celebrations - Independence and medals for superior athleticism won by Jamaican nationals around the globe. Here, we gladly share those photos with our readers, as well as a message prepared especially for the Informer from the Ambassador of Jamaica to the United States, [Stephen C. Vasciannie]. Congratulations!
Vanessa Gidden and Simone Edwards were in impressive form as Jamaica's female basketbailers romped to a historic 69-58 victory over the Virgin Islands, to claim the team's first ever medal at the Central American and Caribbean Games in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico.
"One of the initiatives that the JFF has embarked on is getting exposure for our Premier League coaches. We got in touch with our Brazilian friends and so an arrangement was made where all 12 Premier League coaches for next season will be sent to Brazil between June 29 and July 12," JFF president, Captain Horace Burrell announced on Thursday night. May 19, at the 2010-11 Digicel Premier League awards ceremony, at the Courtleigh Auditorium in New Kingston.
Jamaica again led the Caribbean's medal haul at an international track and field event by finishing fifth at the LAAF World Indoor Championship last month in Poland, with super sprinter Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce earning one of the region's two gold medals by winning the 60 meters. Cuba's Yarisley Silva claimed the Caribbean's other gold by winning the women's pole vault. Teammates Ernesto Reve and Pedro Pablo Pichardo won silver and bronze, respectively, in the men's triple jump to propel the Spanish-speaking nation to a top 10 finish in the medal standing.
Led by batsman Jermaine Blackwood, who narrowly missed a hundred in the first innings and scored a maiden first class century in the second and spinner Damion Jacobs, who took eight first innings wickets, Jamaica won the trophy which was inaugurated five years ago in honor of the late Jamaica and West Indies batting legend George Headley, and living Barbados and West Indies batting legend Sir Everton Weekes.
Jamaica is drawn in Group A', along with Cuba, Canada, Chile and Venezuela. Group 'B' consists of Brazil, Argentina, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic and Mexico. The top two teams from each group qualify for the semifinal where the top team of group A' will play the runner-up of Group 'B', and vice versa. The semifinal winners will advance to the Final. "This is a brand new experience for me and I am excited for the opportunity," said [Monique Salmon]. "I am new to the team, so I am looking forward to learning and contributing in every way possible. This is a dream come true."
Following his two successes in the 200 metres, Olympic and World champion Bolt is leading in this event with 12 points and is followed by the United States' Walter Dix in second on eight points with Norway's Jaysuma Saida in third with five points. The United Sates' Lashina Demus is third with six points, two more than Jamaican Melaine Walker who is fourth on four points. Kenia Sinclair has been having a wonderful season so far in the Women's 800 metres and following her easy victory over the past weekend at the Stockholm meet, she is the leader here with eight points and is followed by South African Caster Semenya on seven points and Morocco's Halima Hachlaf on six.
[Simpson]'s case will be heard on January 7 and 8 while [Powell]'s will come up a week later on January 14 and 15. Powell was not happy about the January hearing dates but the challenge faced by the panel is that [Robinson] will be representing JADCo in the cases of Allison Randall, Demar Robinson and Través Smikle which are set to be concluded by December 17 this year. Both athletes were present at the preliminary hearing held at the Jamaica Conference Centre in Kingston.
"Two of our distinguished athletes, Asafa [Powell] and [Sherone Simpson], have been advised of adverse analytical findings in their A' samples taken during an in-competition test on June 21, 2013," read [James]' release. "Whilst the Adverse Analytical Findings are unfortunate and disappointing, the club continues to stand by and support Sherone and Asafa during this time, and we will be following the developments in this matter closely and will endeavour to support and protect the rights of these two great athletes, so as to ensure a fair hearing for them and a just resolution of the issues involved."
"I can't believe what has taken place," said [Marshall]. "I would like a fair chance where every match I don't have to fret and worry that if I fail this game that could be it for me for the season." Marshall, who played three four-day matches two seasons ago before being dropped, also vowed to fight on amidst the setback. "It is not the first time this is happening to me," he said. "It is about the third or fourth time.
Coach Glen Mills is predicting 'fireworks' from his 21-year-old charge, Yohan Blake, at the upcoming World Championships in Daegu, South Korea, following the athlete's close second to former world record holder Asafa Powell in the men's 100 metres at the recently concluded Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association/Supreme Ventures National Senior Championships. "Yohan was not healthy at the meet, and come World Championships we will see the best from Yohan as I expect a lot of fireworks from him," said Mills, whose athlete clocked 10.09 seconds. Powell won in 10.08.
[Jason Morgan], who finished 10th in qualifying at the IAAF World Athletic Championships in Daegu, South Korea, last year with a throw of 61.75m, well below his best, has been improving each week so far this outdoor season. He opened up with a 62.07m throw to win at the McNeese University Cowboy Relays at Lake Charles, Louisiana, in early March. Then, on March 17, he hurled the implement 63.82m for another win at the Louisiana Classics. That throw ranked him seventh in the world this season.
JUNIOR SQUASH champions Julian Morrison and Jake Mahfood stormed back from early-round losses to take the top two positions, respectively, in the first round of qualification for the 2014 Caribbean and Central American (CAC) Games and the 2014 Commonwealth Games, which was contested at the Liguanea Club in New Kingston over the weekend. The loss meant Morrison had to face tournament favourite, Caribbean Under-19 champion, Ashante Smith, in the semi-finals on Sunday morning, rather than in the finals as had been widely predicted. Morrison rose to the occasion, toppling Smith 11-7, 6-11, 117, 11-6 to make it to the final Morrison and Mahfood, as well as [Karen Anderson], Mullings, [Melissa Lue-Yen] and Binnie, will go on to compete in the final round of qualification for the CAC and Commonwealth Games, which will be held in April 2014.
Jamaicas sprinter Steve Mullings winning the men's 100 metres in a personal best 9.80 seconds ahead of American Michael Rodgers during the Prefontaine Classic track and field meet yesterday in Eugene, Oregon. Rodgers was second in 9.85 Mullings said the two wins were a timely boost of confidence ahead of next month's World Championships in Daegu, South 'Korea.
Where did the team get the idea in their heads to enter the sport? According to Wikipedia.com, it was "George Fitch and William Maloney, Americans with family and business ties to Jamaica, who were responsible for founding the Jamaican bobsled team. While vacationing in Jamaica, the two witnessed a pushcart derby race and saw the similarities to bobsledding." The story of the Jamaican bobsledders not only inspired future entries of the Jamaican bobsled team (in 1992, 1994, 2000, 2006 and 2010) but it also sparked the filming of a major Disney motion picture called "Cool Runnings". Even though the Jamaican bobsled team did not qualify, Caribbean people must never forget the pioneers who dared to mink outside of the box.
According to Bolt, Mills once said to him : "I don't worry about you when you're unfit. It's when you're strong that I stress because your testosterone goes high - through the roof. You have the potential to get yourself into trouble." "Going out occasionally, dancing and chilling with friends was a release valve from the pressures of living in the spotlight," [Bolt] added. "It helped me to work properly on the track and nobody, nobody was going to tell me otherwise."
American Carmelita Jeter winning the women's 100 metres final in 1 0.93 seconds at the Samsung Diamond League meet at Crystal Palace Stadium in London, yesterday. Jamaica's Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce right) was third in 11. 10 seconds. Trinidad and Tobago's Kelly-Ann Baptiste was second in 1 0.97 while Jamaicans Schillonie Calvert (11.23) and Aleen Bailey (11.36) were fourth and seventh respectively.
Cases brought by the Jamaica AntiDoping Commission (JADCo) Disciplinary Panel against track athletes [Dominique Blake] Blake and Ricardo Cunningham have been adjourned until December 3-5 and November 1, respectively, because of the absence of adequate documentation and witnesses. Blake and Dixon were clearly not in favour of an adjournment at the outset, with Dixon pointing out·' "My client is here now, she does not reside in Jamaica and we are here now and believe we can present a good rebuttal. We are prepared to present a case to you." Blake in turn is to file with the JADCo Secretariat a comprehensive brief no later than November 7, 2012.
"I don't know, Tve been having a bad season and coming back late from stress fracture so I'm just grateful to be here in the first place," Phillips said. "I'm just going through with faith and wherever that leaves me, then so be it." "I'm just grateful to be running ... I don't care about that controversy, that's their business, I pay attention to my business," Phillips stated.
'The plan is to run the Stawell Gift meet, it's something that we have been trying to get done for years," said [Paul Doyle] during a telephone interview Thursday. "It's a pretty awesome meet ... Asafa is excited to get over there and compete. "I've been ready to come down a couple of times over the past few years but I'm happy to say that this year will be the year," [Asafa Powell] said. "This year being the World Championships, there will be a lot of focus on that, it's not as if the competition in Jamaica has got any easier, but then again, he is well, he is more mature and focused in what he is doing," Doyle continued.
"The coaches have assured me that all our elite athletes are in great shape, fit and ready to perform," MVP's president, Bruce James, disclosed while speaking at the press conference to launch the meet last week at the Knutsford Court Hotel in New Kingston. "However, the meet is on April 16 and the athletes will only come out to perform if they are fit and healthy to do so," ne hastened to add. "The challenge is that last year at the [UTech] classic she was not feeling well, but decided to take a chance and in so doing she ran and hurt herself badly and was unable to run for the rest of 2010," James explained, while pointing out that the MVP athletes are not all likely to participate in their customary events.
"The thing that stands out most, because it is something that people have been asking for, is the opportunity to see the top MVP - remembering that MVP has Asafa [Asafa Powell], Nesta Carter, Michael Frater, among others, versus the top Racers track club team, remembering they have Usain Bolt, Yohan Blake," [Paul Francis] disclosed. MVP fastmen Powell, Carter and Frater are already confirmed for their 4x100m team, and comeet organiser and MVP president, Bruce James, is anticipating Racers team comprising of and Olympic champion Bolt World champion Blake.
Jamaica's other medal winners included Veronica Campbell and Michael Frater, who earned a silver in the women's and men's 100 meters, respectively. St. Kitts and Nevis's Kim Collins won a bronze in the men's event as well. The Bahamas finished second and Jamaica third in the men's 4x400 meters relay to earn silver and bronze, respectively. Jamaica's women won a silver medal in that event, while Trinidad and Tobago won its only medal of the meet, a silver in the 4x100 meters for men. Cuba's Osleidys Menendez set a new world record in the women's javelin on her way to the gold medal. Cuba also won gold in the 800 meters for women, and silver medals in the men's and women's triple jump, men's high jump and women's hammer throw.
Olympic 400m champion Sanya Richards-Ross presents cheque worth US$10,000 (J$900,000) to her alma mater on Wednesday, October 17. "I expect it to help in a big way. You hear of the parents who have very talented kids but sometimes just can't afford it, and it really breaks my heart because I am very thankful that my parents made the sacrifice to keep me in school. So if I can help the next Sanya Richards -Ross then it's all worth it," Richards-Ross noted.
The bowler was a key part of the the West Indies ICC World T20 Championship triumph 11 months ago, but found himself out of favour with the selectors after a patchy run of form. However, the player put in a sensational effort to help the Jamaica Tallawahs claim the Limacol Caribbean Premier League regional T20 tournament, and has carried that form into the regional A team's series against India. While quick to admit that the road back to top form is yet a work in progress, the bowling allrounder says he is confident and physically ready, should a recall be made.
An elegant player, Samuels stormed back into the selectors' favour after amassing 830 runs in the Regional FirstClass Championship, the most by any player. Samuels also had an impressive showing in the regional T20 Championships where he finished as the top run-getter. Despite receiving an earlier call-up to the West Indies for the recently concluded ICC Cricket World Cup, the batsman declined the invitation, declaring himself not yet ready to return to international cricket.
"For the games against Switzerland and France, we will have the best players from England," said [Schafer]. "Wes Morgan and [Adrian Mariappa] are good players from England that can help us for a good result," he said. "We will play against Barbados with the local players and players from the United States," said Schafer. "I think our football is not very good in Jamaica and this is clear, and you saw it with our matches against Trinidad. We have to work more, we need more fitness and more tactical training, but it can only happen when we have good pitches to play on," he said.
The Weekly Gleaner understands that Scotland-based winger Chris Humphrey has been called up by the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) for their three-week camp in Brazil, ahead of this summer's CONCACAF Gold Cup in the United States. "Even though I also qualify for Scotland, Jamaica was the first to pursue me and I am looking forward to linking up with the squad," Humphrey added, before pointing out that he is, however, focused on his upcoming clash with Celtic in the Scottish Cup final. Humphrey moved to Walsall at the age of five, and was at Walsall's Centre of Excellence, until later joining West Bromwich Albion.
"It's gonna be sticky on us," added national women's football coach [Vin Blaine], who said between 10 and 12 female players enroll at junior colleges each year. "It will have a definite impact." "Everyone wants to go to foreign," he said. "Some parents believe if the students go overseas they don't need to take care of them. It's full time these Jamaican athletes recognise how good opportunities are in Jamaica." "We need to find a way to ensure that they find a way to continue to do what they're good at," said [Neville Bell]. "Don't stop them."
That year, The Montreal Commercial High School student won the Outstanding Intermediate Athlete of Quebec award after setting provincial records in the 60-metre dash, 100-metre dash and the broad jump. Ms. [Rosella Marie Thome-Johnson] also earned a place on the Canadian team to compete in the British Empire Games in New Zealand. At a time when Blacks weren't highly favored, Ms. Thome's exceptional feats as a track and field athlete and as a star basketball player earned her the honor of being invited to Buckingham Palace by Queen Elizabeth and meeting world leaders and dignitaries. In recognition and honor of her accomplishments, she was presented with the Crest Ring of the City and The Key to the City by then Montreal Mayor Camilien Houde. In die months that followed, Ms. Thome continued to excel in track and field as a member of the Montreal Olympic Track Team and on the basketball court with the Montreal Meteor women's team. Two years ' later, in 1952, she attained another milestone in her already spectacular track and field career when she went to the Helsinki Olympics in Finland; these games were significant in that they marked the first participation by the Soviet Union.
Discus thrower Jason Morgan and 800m specialist Kenia Sinclair are left considering their options after being left out of Jamaica's 45-member team to the IAAF World Championships in Athletics.
Olympic 200m bronze medallist Warren Weir, and Kemar Bailey-Cole, a 4x100m relay gold medallist and Jamaica's newest member of the sub-10 seconds 100m club, with a best of 9.97, lead that group, which also includes Jason Young, who has a personal best of 19.86 200m, and World Junior Championships 100m finalist Jazeel Murphy. "It's going to take a little time and depends on how well he adapts to the corrections and training and so forth though," [Mills] warned, before explaining some of the issues the lanky sprinter has had to overcome.
World and Olympic champions Usain Bolt and ShellyAnn Fraser-Pryce of Jamaica are among 42 global sporting giants nominated for prestigious Laureus Awards to be presented this month.
Hi-Lyte sport drink brand manager, Julette FoxHosang, says the calm demeanour and character of West Indies Women's all-rounder Stafanie Taylor were two of the reasons behind her company's decision to sign the world-ranked cricketer as a brand ambassador. The one-year deal, which includes cash, kind and incentives, will see Taylor joining 2008 Beijing Olympics 100 metres silver medallist Kerron Stewart as Hi'Lyte 's lead ambassadors.