media_artricles :: 2015

Lee Ahye 3rd in China

T&T’s Michelle Lee Ahye finished a creditable third in the 100 metres sprint at the Shanghai Diamond League meet, in China, yesterday. The event was won by Nigeria’s Blessing Okagbare who may have signaled that she is the woman to beat in the women’s 100 metres at the world championships, later this year.

Okagbare got a strong start in the star studded field of eight finalists, and held off a fast-closing Tori Bowie of the United States to win in 10.98. Bowie was second in 11.07, just ahead of Ahye who finished in 11.13.

Two-time world and Olympic champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce of Jamaica was a disappointing fifth in 11.25, just behind her Jamaican teammate Veronica Campbell-Brown who clocked 11.22. American Muna Lee (11.48), China’s Wei Yongli (11.51), Jamaica’s Schillonie Calvert (11.53), and China’s Tao Yujia (11.68), completed the field.

It was the second bronze medal for T&T at the Diamond meeting in less than a week, after Keston Bledman was third in the series over 100 metres in the Qatari capital Doha, on Friday.

Also competing yesterday were shot putter Cleopatra Borel and 400 metres runner Renny Quow.

Borel enjoy a best throw of 18.32 metres, which could only earn her sixth place in the event which was won by China’s Gong Lijiao (20.23 metres).

Germany’s Christina Schwanitz threw 19.94 metres to finish second while Tia Brooks of the United States took the bronze medal with a throw of 18.66. Also finishing ahead of Borel were China’s Gua Tianqui (18.57) and Anita Marton (18.57).

China’s Gao Yang (18.29), Yuliya Leantsiuk of Belarus (18.00) and American Felisha Johnson (17.91), completed the field.

Olympic champion Kirani James of Grenada dominated the field in the men’s 400, winning in 44.66 — nearly a full second ahead of Tony McQuay of the United States in second. Defending world champion LaShawn Merritt was third. Quow finished in eighth place clocking a disappointing 46.65.

The women’s 100 metres was a perfectly run event for Okagbare. “I focused on my start and it went well,” Okagbare said. “Normally I haven’t the best start but now I was leading from the beginning.”

Fraser-Pryce faded over the last 50 metres and her fifth place in 11.25, was well off her personal best of 10.70.

Coming off a season of injuries and inconsistent results, the Jamaican is hoping to recapture her top sprinting form before the worlds, where she’s the defending champion in the 100 and 200. She said before the Shanghai meet that she may only run the 100 if the season takes a toll on her body.

“I always have my work cut out. Nobody hands anything to me,” Fraser-Pryce said after the race, still smiling despite the result. “I think it’s just one of those races—you go back, you have faith and you just move on from here. It’s not the first time I’m losing.”T&T’s Michelle Lee Ahye finished a creditable third in the 100 metres sprint at the Shanghai Diamond League meet, in China, yesterday. The event was won by Nigeria’s Blessing Okagbare who may have signaled that she is the woman to beat in the women’s 100 metres at the world championships, later this year.

Okagbare got a strong start in the star studded field of eight finalists, and held off a fast-closing Tori Bowie of the United States to win in 10.98. Bowie was second in 11.07, just ahead of Ahye who finished in 11.13.

Two-time world and Olympic champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce of Jamaica was a disappointing fifth in 11.25, just behind her Jamaican teammate Veronica Campbell-Brown who clocked 11.22. American Muna Lee (11.48), China’s Wei Yongli (11.51), Jamaica’s Schillonie Calvert (11.53), and China’s Tao Yujia (11.68), completed the field.

It was the second bronze medal for T&T at the Diamond meeting in less than a week, after Keston Bledman was third in the series over 100 metres in the Qatari capital Doha, on Friday.

Also competing yesterday were shot putter Cleopatra Borel and 400 metres runner Renny Quow.

Borel enjoy a best throw of 18.32 metres, which could only earn her sixth place in the event which was won by China’s Gong Lijiao (20.23 metres).

Germany’s Christina Schwanitz threw 19.94 metres to finish second while Tia Brooks of the United States took the bronze medal with a throw of 18.66. Also finishing ahead of Borel were China’s Gua Tianqui (18.57) and Anita Marton (18.57).

China’s Gao Yang (18.29), Yuliya Leantsiuk of Belarus (18.00) and American Felisha Johnson (17.91), completed the field.

Olympic champion Kirani James of Grenada dominated the field in the men’s 400, winning in 44.66 — nearly a full second ahead of Tony McQuay of the United States in second. Defending world champion LaShawn Merritt was third. Quow finished in eighth place clocking a disappointing 46.65.

The women’s 100 metres was a perfectly run event for Okagbare. “I focused on my start and it went well,” Okagbare said. “Normally I haven’t the best start but now I was leading from the beginning.”

Fraser-Pryce faded over the last 50 metres and her fifth place in 11.25, was well off her personal best of 10.70.

Coming off a season of injuries and inconsistent results, the Jamaican is hoping to recapture her top sprinting form before the worlds, where she’s the defending champion in the 100 and 200. She said before the Shanghai meet that she may only run the 100 if the season takes a toll on her body.

“I always have my work cut out. Nobody hands anything to me,” Fraser-Pryce said after the race, still smiling despite the result. “I think it’s just one of those races—you go back, you have faith and you just move on from here. It’s not the first time I’m losing.”

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