Grenada’s Anderson Peters and Jamaica’s Britany Anderson pulled off impressive victories at the 2022 FBK Games Hengelo in The Netherlands on Monday.
Yohan Blake was also a winner in the men’s 100m while quarter-miler Christopher Taylor ran an encouraging season-best while finishing second in the 400m.
In damp and cool conditions, Peters was on fire in the men’s javelin throwing an impressive new meet record of 90.75m to secure yet another victory this season. The winning throw was the third best mark this season behind Peters’ own world-leading throw of 93.07m in Doha on May 13 and Jakub Vadlecjh’s 90.88m at the same meet.
Peters said that despite the weather conditions, he was happy to be able to throw 90m once more.'
"This feels good to throw a 90-plus. I was worried about the circumstances, this is too cold for me. It was windy and sometimes rainy. My hands were so cold that I had no feeling in it, the first throw," he said, adding that there are things he needs to improve upon ahead of the world championships in July.
"Normally, I like to throw my best throw at the first attempt. I have to improve the amount of 89-plus throws. Today at the FBK Games Hengelo, the crowd was lovely. The battle between me and Weber was great. We like to see who is the best man of the day. Looking forward to defending my title at World Champs.
The Grenadian led all throwers with his second throw of 88.70m but Germany’s Julian Webber, with his third throw of 89.54m, a personal best, took the lead before Peters responded with his winning fourth-round throw to remain unbeaten this season.
Webber’s mark, however, helped him secure second place, just ahead of Trinidad and Tobago’s Keshorn Walcott. The 2012 Olympic champion uncorked a season-best throw of 89.07m for third place.
Walcott said he enjoyed the competition.
“It was a wonderful competition, amazing results. We pushed each other, if the other performs, you need to answer,” he said.
“I am having a really good season so far. We did not expect it, but when the rain stopped, the results came. The crowd really lifted up our results, it was so wonderful all the cheering.”
Meanwhile, Anderson, the rising Jamaican sprint hurdler, was also in fine form running a season best 12.51 (0.4m/s) to defeat a talented field that included reigning world champion Nia Ali, who was second in 12.69 and Tonea Marshall, who ran 12.70 for third.
“My plan was to come here and keep my technique over the hurdles and to have fun,” she said afterwards.
“I am happy with my season’s best here and the fun is racing. I love being on the track to race. My next race is in Rome and I hope to improve. I go step by step.”
Bahamian Devynne Charlton equalled her season best 12.88 while finishing fifth behind fourth-place finisher Tia Jones (12.71).
Taylor, running in his 400m season debut clocked 45.45 to finish second behind the USA’s Vernon Norwood, who overtook the Jamaican down the stretch and held him off to win in 45.28.
Trevor Stewart of the USA was third in 45.93.
Blake won the blue-ribbon dash in 10.11 (-0.3m/s). Despite a look of disappointment when he saw the time, the 2011 world champion, was well clear of the field. Kyree King of the United States ran 10.23 for the runner-up spot while South Africa’s Emile Erasmus finished third in 10.25.
“The crowd is amazing (but) the conditions are not the best now,” said Blake, who expressed that better performances from him are not far away.
“I put in the work, the feeling is right there, I am not worried. I have a great coach and a good team.”
Great Britain’s Daryll Neita won the women’s 100 in 11.19 (0.8m/s) over Tynia Gaither of the Bahamas (11.23) and Imani Lansiquot who ran a season’s best 11.26 for third.
Leighton Levy is a journalist with 28 years’ experience covering crime, entertainment, and sports. He joined the staff at SportsMax.TV as a content editor two years ago and is enjoying the experience of developing sports content and new ideas. At SportsMax.tv he is pursuing his true passion - sports.
Dalilah Muhammad headlines additions to star-studded line up for Jamaica Athletics Invitational
The excitement is building for the upcoming Jamaica Athletics Invitational, set to take place on May 11 at the National Stadium in Kingston, as 2016 Olympic 400m hurdles champion Dalilah Muhammad joins the list of confirmed international stars for the event. Muhammad, a former world record holder and two-time world champion, brings her stellar track record to Kingston following her silver medal performance at the Tokyo Games.
Alongside Muhammad, a host of emerging Jamaican talents will also grace the track, including standout sprinters Alana Reid, Briana Williams, Bouwahjgie Nkrumie, and Sandrey Davison.
Reid has been training alongside World 100m champion Sha'Carri Richardson in Florida and will be looking to make an early statement on her form leading into the national championships in June.
Williams, under the mentorship of distinguished coach John Smith in California, is an Olympic sprint relay gold medalist and a two-time World Championship silver medallist who is eager for a return to form.
Nkrumie, who last year became the first Jamaican schoolboy to break the 10-second barrier, and Davison, both formidable sprinters in their own right, add depth to sprint line up with Davison currently holding the title of fastest Jamaican over 100m this year.
Marvin Anderson, Athletes' Liaison for the Jamaica Athletics Invitational, expressed his enthusiasm for the calibre of athletes set to compete. "We are pleased with the confirmed list to date and excited about the level of competition the athletes and fans should experience," he remarked.
Anticipation is high for a thrilling series of events both on the track and in the field.
Tickets for the May 11 event are already available online, with ticket locations opening on May 4. Grandstand tickets are priced at $3,000, while bleacher seating is free of charge. The meet is scheduled to run from 7:00 pm to 9:30 pm, followed by an after-party to celebrate an evening of world-class athletics.
The Jamaica Athletics Invitational promises to deliver top-notch competition and showcase the immense talent within the track and field community. With international stars like Dalilah Muhammad and rising Jamaican sensations like Alana Reid and Briana Williams, fans can expect an unforgettable evening of athletic prowess at the National Stadium in Kingston.
Jamaica’s girls dominate field events on opening day at Penn Relays: Bahamas thrower wins javelin event
Caribbean athletes showcased their prowess in the field on the opening day of the 128th edition of the Penn Relays at Franklin Field in Philadelphia on Thursday. Chief among them were the Jamaicans who enjoyed podium places in the high jump and triple jump events with the Bahamas taking gold in the javelin.
Shaniqua Williams and Danielle Noble, both of Wolmer’s Girls, secured a 1-2 finish in the keenly contested high school girls high jump. Williams’ winning mark of 1.73m was also cleared by Noble and Alysa Carrigan.
However, she won on the basis of a cleaner record during the rounds.
Williams said it was cold and her muscles were lazy but she knew what she had to do to win.
“Despite that I came out here and did what I had to do which was focus on my technique,” she said. “The weather was very cold and I am not used to this kind of weather so I had to take a long time to warm up.”
The Jamaicans were not alone in their dominance as Taysha Stubbs who attends Queens College in the Bahamas showcased her incredible skill and strength in winning the high school girls javelin with an outstanding throw of 47.17m.
Stubbs was several metres better than her main rivals in Sophia Scott of Omaha Burke, who took second place with a throw of 44.79m. In a close third place was Eliana Schneider who produced a best mark of 44.78m.
Jamaicans Marla-Kay Lampart and Kimeka Smith were second and third, respectively in the high school girls shot put that was won by Jessica Oji of Livingston with an impressive throw of 14.01m.
Lampart of Claredon College threw 13.64m for second place while Smith mustered a throw of 13.46m for third place.
Jamaica’s girls won the top four places in the high school girls triple jump competition.
Jade-Ann Dawkins of St Jago finished atop the podium with a distance of 13.01m. Jadea Robinson of Immaculate Conception was in second position with her jump of 12.70m just ahead of Celine Riddle of Holmwood Technical (12.69m).
Richelle Stanley of St Elizabeth Technical (12.55m) was fourth.
Nahjahda Seymoure of Excelsior High threw an impressive 48.08m to finish in second position in the high school girls discus competition that was won by Layla Giordano of NV Old Tappan who hurled the implement out to a winning mark of 51.17m.
Able Mills of St Catherine High threw 48.01m for third place.
Mills’ teammate Rohanna Sudlow jumped 5.83m to finish in third place in the high school girls long jump.
Jaydon Hibbert excited to make his professional debut at USATF Bermuda Grand Prix on Sunday
Jamaica's rising triple jump sensation Jaydon Hibbert is set for his professional debut at the USATF Bermuda Grand Prix this Sunday.
From holding both the indoor and outdoor NCAA records to becoming the first Jamaican and the youngest athlete to win the coveted Bowerman Award, Hibbert's journey has been an exciting display of exceptional talent in the jumps. He eagerly awaits the Bermuda Grand Prix this Sunday,
"Finally, I'll be opening my season. I'm grateful and happy that I am ready to compete and I'm excited to see where I am in my preparations. I've never visited Bermuda before, but I expect it to be fun. I've heard it's an electrifying stadium, which jumpers need, so I look forward to the crowd support," he exclaimed.
The 19-year-old won the gold medal at the 2022 World U20 championships and is the holder of the U20 indoor and outdoor triple jump world records at 17.54m and 17.87m, respectively. He went undefeated during his freshman year at the University of Arkansas in 2023 before transitioning to the professional ranks in January.
"Since I started doing the sport, I've been looking forward to competing professionally. I can't wait to get out there and make my coach and family proud. I'm praying for a great season!" he exclaimed hardly able to contain his excitement.
The Bermuda Grand Prix, also known as the "Prelude to Paris", will start at 3 pm Jamaica time at the Flora Duffy Stadium. Action is live on Peacock via NBC Sports.
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