media_artricles :: 2016

Cedenio speeds to gold at Racers Grand Prix

FOR MER WOR LD Junior champion Machel Cedenio re-affirmed his credentials as Trinidad and Tobago's leading quarter-miler when he won the Men's 400-metre gold at the inaugural Racers Grand Prix held at the National Stadium, Kingston, Jamaica on Saturday evening.

Cedenio produced a masterful display of sustained power to overhaul Grenada's Bralon Taplin, Jamaica's favourite one-lap specialist Javon Francis and fellow Trinidadian Lalonde Gordon to clocked his season's best time of 44.37 seconds.

The 2015 TT 's "Sportsman of the Year" improved on his previous best of 44.68 when he had placed second at the IAAF Diamond League Grand Prix at Doha on May 6.

Compatriot Gordon, who picked the 2012 London Olympics Men's 400-metre bronze medal, took an early lead down the backstretch and sped around the top curve ahead of the others who pursued with a determination to be among the podium finishers.

Taplin and Francis challenged Gordon for the lead as they straightened for the drive to the finish line. But Cedenio was in hot pursuit with tremendous power and controlled acceleration as he surged to a comfortable victory by almost three clear strides. Taplin finished second in 44.76, Francis third in 44.81 and Gordon fourth in 44.84.

TT 's women sprint champion KellyAnn Baptiste and top male hurdler Mikel Thomas also competed at the Racers Grand Prix and made a favourable impressions.

Baptiste showed good form and collected bronze medal in the Women's 100-metre which was won by Jamaica's sprint queen and twice Olympics gold-medallist ShellyAnn Fraser-Pryce (11.09) who narrowly edged out American Barbara Pierre (11.11) in a tight finish. Michelle-Lee Ahye who was originally listed to participate was not among the starters for the women's sprint races.

Thomas (13.42) finished in fourth position to American David Oliver (13.09), Jamaica's Deuce Carter (13.20) and American Jarrett Eaton (13.28) in the men's 110m hurdles race.

Meanwhile, Tobagonian Semoy Hackett collected a bronze medal in the women 200m at the Star Athletics ProMeet in Montverde, Florida on Saturday.

The Tobagonian was beaten by American World Junior champion Candace Hill who clocked 22.38 secs while fellow American Shalonda Solomon was second in 22.59.

TT 's sprint champion Keston Bledman was fourth to Americans Marvin Brady 9.94, Aaron Brown 10.01 and Clayton Vaughn 10.02 in the men's 100-metre dash at the Star Athletics ProMeet.

Top