Kelly-Ann Baptiste sped to her first victory on the international circuit for 2012, winning the 100m dash at the ISTAF World Challenge Athletics Meet at the Olympic Stadium, in Berlin, Germany, yesterday. Baptiste crossed the line in 11.25 to win back to back titles, after capturing last year’s race. The 2011 World Championship bronze medallist finished just ahead of Jamaica’s former World and Olympic silver medallist, Kerron Stewart (11.27), and London Olympic 200m finalist Myriam Soumare of France (11.34). Baptiste improved on her second place finish in her season’s opening meet in Jamaica in May. The win was redemption after being disqualified for a false start in her last race in the Diamond League Wetklasse meet in Zurich on August 30.
Baptiste who finished sixth in the Olympic 100 metres final got off to a slow start but gradually worked her way alongside the fast starting Stewart, who led for most of the way. Baptiste eventually collared Stewart with about 20 metres left and was a comfortable winner in the end. In the men’s equivalent, Jamaica’s depth of sprint talent was evident as the relatively unknown Kemar Bailey Cole took the gold medal, from the very experienced Kim Collins of St Kitts and Nevis, with Frenchman Jimmy Vicault in third. Bailey Cole clocked 10 flat, while Collins, who led for most of the way, faded to finish in 10.07 with Vicaut, clocking 10.12.
In Italy, Cleopatra Borel missed out on a top spot in the women’s shot put at the 26th Meeting Internazionale Citta di Padova in Padua. The two-time World Indoor finalist was second, 9cm short of the top spot as Natallia Mikhnevich of Belarus won (18.80) with Russian Irina Tarasova on 3cm behind in third  (18.68). Borel’s distance is a new season’s best, improving on the 18.69 she threw in taking second at the Jamaican Invitational. Borel opened with a no throw, then threw 17.91 on her second effort to lie in third. She then got her best throw in the third to secure the runner up position.
SCOREBOARD Berlin Olympic Stadium Women’s 100m

1 Kelly Baptiste T&T 11.25
2 Kerron Stewart Jamaica 11.27
3 Myriam Soumare France 11.34
4 Aleen Bailey Jamaica 11.36
5 Alexandria Anderson USA 11.36
6 Bianca Knight USA 11.36
7 Mikele Barber USA 11.47
8 Samantha Henry-Robinson Jamaica 11..50
9 Anyika Onoura Great Britain 11.60
Internazionale Citta di Padova in Padua, Italy Women's shot put
1 Natallia Mikhnevich Belarus 18.80
2 Cleopatra Borel T&T 18.71
3 Irina Tarasova Russia 18.68
4 Chiara Rosa Italy 17.67
5 Laura Bordignon Italy 15.04
6 Francesca Stevanato Italy 14.58
By Clayton Clarke
Source: www.guardian.co.tt