T&T’s Lalonde Gordon bagged bronze in the Men’s 400 metres event at the season-ending Memorial Van Damme Diamond League meeting Belgium yesterday. The Olympic bronze medallist clocked 45.13 seconds to finish behind Belgium twin Kevin and Jonathan Borlee, respectively. The former won in 44.75 while his brother crossed the line in 45.02. Gordon beat Olympic silver medallist Luguelin Santos of Dominican Republic into fourth in 45.31. Sprint icon Usain Bolt and fellow Jamaican Yohan Blake scored contrasting victories. While Bolt coasted to a time of 9.86 seconds to win the 100m, Blake stormed to a 19.54 clocking to capture the 200m.
Running out of lane five, the Olympic champion was away slowly as compatriot Nesta Carter grabbed the early lead. However, Bolt powered through in the last 40 metres to clinch vctory. “I was just happy to be done. I went out there just for the fans,” Bolt said afterward. “From yesterday I told my coach (Glen Mills) that I felt slow and lazy. I felt drained. He told me ‘make sure you go out there and execute right and it should be ok’ and that’s what I did.” Carter finished second in 9.96 seconds with another Jamaican Kemar Bailey Cole placing third in a personal best 9.97 seconds. Veteran St Kitts and Nevis sprinter Kim Collins was fourth in 10.03 seconds, with Nickel Ashmeade fifth in the same time. Blake, meanwhile, looked sharp as he impressively dominated his field in the half-lap.
The 22-year-old, who has not lost a race since taking silver in both sprints at the London Olympics last month, jetted through the curve to enter the stretch in front. He was chased down by fellow Jamaican Jason Young but was hardly challenged in the final 75 metres as he crossed the line well ahead of the field. Young took second in 19.92 seconds while Christophe Lemaitre clocked 20.17 seconds to be third. Olympic bronze medallist Warren Weir was fourth in 20.22.
There was also victory for Jamaican Kaliese Spencer who took care of business in the women’s 400 metres hurdles, clocking 53.69 to beat Perri Shakes-Drayton of Great Britain. Former World champion Ryan Brathwaite of Barbados was a disappointing eighth in the men’s sprint hurdles. CMC
Source: www.guardian.co.tt