media_artricles :: 2012

James makes World Indoor standard

Jamaal James has joined the list of local athletes bidding to represent T&T at the World Indoor Track and Field Championships in Istanbul, Turkey from March 9-11. James clocked 1:47:66 to finish third in the men’s 800m at the Valentine Invitational in Boston (USA) on the weekend, to better the 1:48:00 qualifying standard required to make the trip to Turkey. The time is also a personal best for the 2005 World Youth Championships finalist improving his previous mark of 1:48:58 set in 2007 whilst a student of Louisiana State University.

James’ Boston run will no doubt push him up the next update of the IAAF Indoor men’s 800m rankings. The Trinity College graduate was at 29th on the February 5 release. Sprinter Richard Thompson is sixth in the men’s 60m following his 6.56 run in the heats at the USATF Classic in Arkansas on the weekend. The “Torpedo” stumbled in the finals however, and failed to finish. Thompson is now the quickest local on the listing ahead of Keston Bledman (23rd-6.62) and Marc Burns (33rd-6.64). All three have dipped below the World Indoor mark of 6.67. Bledman’s time is a personal best for the 2008 Olympic and 2009 World Championships relay silver medallist on his indoor debut at the short sprint. Debra John was first in the women’s 60m hurdles finals at the Bison Open in Fargo, USA. The North Dokota State student got the victory in 8.64 seconds and then returned to take silver in the 60m flat event in 7.53 seconds.

See Trinidad Guardian article on-line for results

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