Caribbean Sports: Top Caribbean Athletes Shine In Jamaica

By NAN Sports Editor

News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Fri. June 15, 2018: Several Caribbean and Caribbean American athletes were in winning form at the JN Racers Grand Prix meeting at Jamaica’s National Stadium in Kingston last weekend.

Former World and Olympic female sprint champion, Jamaica’s Shelly Ann Fraser Pryce, returned to winning form after giving birth, as she claimed gold in the 100-meters with a seasonal best of 11.10 secs.

This was the ‘Pocket Rocket’s first international meet at home since she gave birth to a son last August. Jumping a little late out of the blocks Fraser Pryce turned on the speed at the 40meter mark and powered to the finish ahead of Jenna Prandini of the US who had a time of 11.14 and Florida-based Jamaican American teen sensation, 16-year old Brianna Williams.

Her win against Prandini came a week after she lost to the Americans at a meet in the Cayman Islands.

Grenada’s Kirani James Wins

Grenadian quarter-miler, Kirani James, also made a winning comeback at the meet, his first international race since April 2017. James nipped American Fred Kerley at the tape to win in a time of 44.35 ahead of Kerley’s 44.36. Fellow Grenadian Bralon Taplin was third in a time of 45.11.

Bahamas’ Shaunae Miller-Ubio Stays Consistent

Bahamian Olympian, Shaunae Miller-Uibo, continued her impressive streak of victories this season winning the 200-m in 22.11. over Jamaica’s Shericka Jackson with 22.62.

“The 400 is my favorite event but I’m doing very well in the 200,” Miller-Uibo said gleefully after the race. “I’m very consistent and that’s a good thing for me.”

Other Wins

Meanwhile, Jamaican Leah Nugent, with a time of 54.67, won over her compatriot and event favorite Janieve Russell, 54.89, in the women’s 400-m hurdles.

In the men’s 110-m hurdles Hansle Parchment produced a late burst of speed over the final two barriers to edge Ronald Levy 13.31 to 13.32.

In the field events, Jamaican Danniel Thomas-Dodd, won the women’s shot put with a heave of 18.59-m while current world number two, Raven Saunders of the US, was second with 18.57.

Bahamian Jamal Wilson won the men’s high jump with a jump of 2.24-m while Jamaican Shanieka Ricketts won the triple jump with a leap of 14.39-m.