By Gary Smith and Susan Porter, World-Track
ZURICH — Lerone Clarke became the latest Jamaican sprinter to dip below the 10-seconds barrier over the 100 metres when he clocked 9.99 seconds to win the second section of the men’s event at the Weltklasse Zürich IAAF Golden League Meeting on Friday.
Clarke, a member of the Jamaican team that dominated the sprints again at the World Championships in Berlin last week, got off to a rocket start and held his form all the way to cross the finishing line in front of Trinidadian Emmanuel Callander, who ran a personal best of 10.05 and Steve Mullings (10.07) who a member of the winning Jamaican 4x100m team in Berlin.
Another Jamaican Mario Forsythe finished fifth in 10.17, just ahead of American Wallace Spearmon (10.18).
American world champion Sanya Richards remained a million dollar jackpot contender after five events in the Golden League series – following her convincing world leading 48.94 to win the women’s 400m.
After holding back for the first half of the race, Richards rushed into the lead in the home stretch and then opened up the lead to win easily.
Allyson Felix posted a seasonal best of 49.83 for second place with Jamaica’s world and Olympic silver medallist Shericka Williams finishing third in 50.40.
Carmelita Jeter got sweet revenged against the Jamaicans when she ended the golden league run of Kerron Stewart with a dominating 10.86secs to win the women’s 100m.
The American who finished third to Shelly Ann Fraser and Stewart at the world championships last week, got the better of both Jamaicans in Zurich, as Stewart had to settled for second in 11.04, the same time as Bahamian Debbie Ferguson-McKenzie. Fraser was fourth in 11.10.
Dwight Thomas left it late, but managed to use his natural speed to surged in front of American Terrence Trammell to win the men’s 110m hurdles race.
Thomas posted a personal best and Jamaican national record of 13.16secs, to just edged Trammell (13.17) with Barbadian world champion Ryan Braithwaite taking third in 13.21.
