Deon Lendore struck gold in the men's 200 metres event at the Back to the Track Series 3 meet, in Texas, USA, on Thursday. Lendore stopped the clock at 20.63 seconds for victory in section three and top spot overall.

American Aldrich Bailey was second in the same section and second overall in 20.74. Javon

Francis was third in that race, but his 21.07 clocking was not fast enough for the podium, the Jamaican having to settle for fourth spot. German Mike Bryan was third fastest on the day, the section one winner getting home in 21.03.

Lendore's 20.63 run was his second fastest clocking in the half-lap event. The Trinidad and Tobago athlete has a personal best of 20.59 secondsÑthe time he produced to claim gold at the 2018 Whitsuntide Games, in Grenada. The 20.63 clocking put Lendore in 23rd spot on the 2020 world outdoor performance list. American Noah Lyles is at the top of the list at 19.94.

Lendore also competed in Thursday's 400m event. He picked up silver with a 45.80 seconds run. Michael Cherry beat Lendore to the line, the American grabbing gold in 45.43. Another American, Kahmari Montgomery picked up bronze in 45.85, finishing well ahead of fourth-placed Francis (46.98). In another men's 400m race, Bailey and fellow American Vernon Norwood were first and second, respectively, in 46.89 and 47-flat.

Two Thursdays ago, at the Back to the Track Series 2 meet, also in Texas, Lendore won the 400 in 45.65 seconds for ninth spot on the 2020 global outdoor list. The 27-year-old quartermiler has been nudged down to 10th by Cherry, whose 45.43 run placed him fifth. Jamaican Akeem Bloomfield is the world leader at 45.07.

BR