media_artricles :: 2015

Walcott, Gordon clinch gold in style

Keshorn Walcott (Rebirth) launched himself into Trinidad and Tobago’s sporting history books once more on the final day of the 2015 NGC/ Sagicor National Senior Track and Field Championships yesterday when he threw a meet record distance of 84.84 metres to retain his local Men’s javelin title at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo.

On his first attempt, the reigning Olympic champion immediately propelled his spear to the Championship record as hundreds of spectators looked on in awe with high hopes of a repeat performance at the coming 2015 World Championships and 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Club-mate, Shaquille Waithe also threw a personal best distance of 77.30m to grasp silver in fine style. Grenadian Anderson Peters held on to third overall as he also achieved an impressive distance of 74.20m.

Meanwhile, defending National Women’s shot put champion, Cleopatra Borel (Rebirth) retained her title by launching the sphere to a World Championship qualifier distance of 18.46 metres. The female field athlete achieved her golden throw on attempt three. The runner- up was Chelsea James (Falcons), who attained 14.54m. DPAC’s Jaleesa Williams placed third of the eighth finalists with her distance of 14.48m.

Reigning World Championships gold medallist Jehue Gordon (Memphis Pioneers) was crowned Trinidad and Tobago’s 400m hurdles king as he held off a valiant fight from eventual runner-up Emmanuel Mayers (Rebirth) on the final stretch. Gordon clocked a Pan Am and NACAC qualifying standard time of 50.06 seconds while Mayers trailed closely behind in 50.24 seconds. Holding on to third was Gordon’s Pioneers club-mate Ruebin Walters in 51.82s.

Gordon then backed up his golden showing with another quality performance for his Memphis club in the Men’s 4x400m relay with teammates Ruebin Walters, Kern Alexis and Jesse Fredericks (3:13.12). Running the final leg after a strong link up among the previous trio, Gordon faced minor opposition on the home straight from runners-up (3:14.29), TT Defence Force (Deverne Charles, Jonathan James, Kevin haynes, Anika Prince), and would go all the way for the coveted title once more. Claiming third were Dovers in 3:22.78.

And in the two-member women’s 400m, National record holder Josanne Lucas (Falcons) pipped Memphis Pioneers’ Sparkle McKnight by a split second to capture top honours. Both athletes kept at each other’s side throughout the entire race, both clocking 56.76 seconds and achieving Pan Am/ NACAC standards.

Meanwhile, field athlete Quincy Wilson (Rebirth) retained his coveted National senior title by launching the 2kg discus to a Pan Am/ NACAC standard distance of 57.78m. Wilson’s victory yesterday was openly celebrated by the athlete since this was his first official showing of the year, having recovered from a serious injury sustained in 2014.

Meanwhile, Walcott’s sibling, Elton of UTT Fast Track, leapt to victory in the Men Triple Jump by flying a distance of 16.40m. The younger Walcott was crowned champion ahead of Rebirth’s silver medallist Kyron Blaise (16.23m) and Memphis Pioneers bronze receiver, Steve Waithe (16.04m).

Abilene’s Kyle Greaux and La Brea’s Rondell Sorrillo then captured the 1-2 finish in the Men’s 200m by both recording World Championship standard times of 20.42s and 20.50s respectively. Neon Trackers’ Daneil Telesford (20.53s), Unattached sprinter Tristan Walker (20.60s) and Guyana’s Winston George (20.68s) rounded off the top five respectively and together achieved Pan Am and NACAC qualification times.

Up to press time last night however, the tourney’s feature events, relays, were underway.

Other Results

Women Long Jump: 1. Chantel Malone (IVB) 6.51m; 2. Josanne Joseph (Concorde) 5.76m; 3. Daniel Davis (Unattached) 5.64m.

Men High Jump: 1. Brendan Williams (Dominica) 2.10m; 2. Omari Benoit (Falcons) 1.90m; 3. Rodney Liverpool (TT Defence Force) 1.90m.

Women 100m Masters: 1. Ayanna Hutchinson (Concorde) 11.96s; 2. Alisha Fortune (Guyana) 12.20m; 3. Joan Hospedales (TT Masters) 13.90s.

Men 100m Masters: 1. Norton St Louis (TT Defence Force) 10.98s; 2. Martin Prime (ZC) 11.85s; 3. Lester Herbert (ZC) 12.04s.

Women 800m: 1. Alena Brooks 2:06.71; 2. Myah Hicks 2:07.66; 3. Dawnel Collymore 2:10.76 (all of Memphis Pioneers).

Men 800m: 1. Jamaal James (Rebirth) 1:49.36; 2. Nicholas Landeau (Rebirth) 1:49.41; 3. Kendis Bullard (TT Defence Force) 1:51.01.

Women Hepathlon: 1. Marsha Mark-Baird (Palo Seco) 4793; Kechelle Douglas (UTT) 4590; 3. Aeisha McDavid (Unattached) 4569.

Women 200m: 1. Reyare Thomas (Abilene) 22.97s; Kamaria Durant (Simplex) 23.15; 3. Karene King (IVB) 23.26s.

Men 5000m: 1.Kenneth Rotich (Kenya) 15:04.66; 2. Jules La Rode (Penal Athletic) 16:17.15; 3. Iley Bruce (Dovers) 16:26.73.

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