media_artricles :: 2012

Thompson opens fast

...but stumbles out of USA Classic 60m final

Richard "Torpedo" Thompson produced the second fastest time of his career, 6.56 seconds, to lead all qualifiers into the final of the men's 60 metres dash, at the USA Track & Field Classic, in Arkansas, on Saturday. The Trinidad and Tobago track star, however, stumbled out of the championship race.

"Right around the 10-metre mark, I stumbled and it threw my entire stride pattern off, so I had to stop before I injured myself. I had a fairly good start and was right with the pack so I was in perfect position to strike at around 40 metres with my top end shape."

With Thompson out of the race, Jamaica's reigning Pan American Games 100m champion, Lerone Clarke claimed the top spot in 6.52 seconds, beating Americans Justin Gatlin (6.57) and Trell Kimmons (6.57) into second and third, respectively.

In the qualifying round, Thompson opened his 2012 campaign with the 6.56 run, earning the top spot in heat one, ahead of Clarke (6.57) and Gatlin (6.61). Kimmons won heat two in 6.60.

"I had a lot left in me for the final," Thompson told the Express. "That's why I was so upset when I did not finish. 6.56 is the second fastest time I've ever run in my life, and this was my first race so I'm pleased about that. I know I can dip below 6.50.

"You can never say for sure what would have happened," the 26-year-old sprinter continued. "It's all speculation when something like this happens, but I was very confident going into the final that I would win, and the winner ran 6.52."

Thompson's personal best in the 60m dash is 6.51 seconds, a clocking he produced twice in 2008.

Cleopatra Borel also opened her 2012 indoor season at the USA Track & Field Classic. The T&T field athlete bagged bronze in the women's shot put with an 18.35 metres heave. Her series also included 18.17m and 18.09m throws. Americans Jillian Camarena-Williams (19.89m) and Michelle Carter (19.09m) finished first and second, respectively.

Grenadian Kirani James won the men's 400m in a world-leading 45.19 seconds. Bahamian Demetrius Pinder (45.40) earned silver, while American Calvin Smith (45.73) picked up bronze.

There was also a world-leading time in the women's 60m final, American Tianna Madison topping the field in 7.02 seconds. Jamaica's Veronica Campbell-Brown (7.08) finished second, while third spot was copped by Ivory Coast sprinter Murielle Ahoure (7.09).

Saturday's meet was Thompson's first stop on the Road to London 2012. A double silver medallist at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, China, Thompson is targetting three medals at the London Games.

"I am extremely disappointed right now because when you feel like you're ready you want to go out and prove it, but in the grand scheme of things—London—I will be just fine. If there are any errors to be made, I prefer them to be now."

Late last year, Thompson switched camps, and is now training in Los Angeles, under the watchful eyes of American John Smith, the man who coached T&T's quadruple Olympic medallist and 1997 200m world champion, Ato Boldon.

"John Smith and I have been working on perfecting my start, and a few things are different in my setting so it's still a work in progress with us. We wanted to use today to work on these thingsthe angles and positioning. With more time and work I will get it right and there will be no mistakes when it matters most.

"I am very confident about this season," Thompson continued, "and I'm satisfied with the progress I've been making. With the training the group has been doing over the last few months I expected my 60 to be the weakest thing. This is a good sign for the 100 and 200 when I have more distance to cover."

Thompson said he is not certain if he will compete at any other indoor meets this season.

"If I do, I think I stand a legitimate chance of threatening the 6.49 (national record held by Boldon). As far as the 100, I don't want to predict a time on that as yet. The 200, my goal is to run sub-20 this year."

Thompson is the national record holder in the 100m at 9.85 seconds, and has a 200m personal best of 20.18.

The 2008 Olympic Games 100m silver medallist produced his 9.85 clocking in the 2011 National Championship final, on August 13, at the Hasely Crawford Stadium. However, a couple weeks after that golden run, Thompson bowed out in the semi-final round of the 100m dash at the World Championships, in Daegu, Korea. He was bitterly disappointed at the time, and is determined to make amends at the London Olympics.

"Sitting and watching a men's 100 metres final is something I will never do again."

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