T&T sprint star triumphs in Jamaica
Kwame Laurence klaurence@trinidadexpress.com
Monday, May 7th 2007
BUILT FOR SPEED: Trinidad and Tobago track star Darrel Brown, centre, captures the men's 100 metres title in a fast 10.02 seconds, at the Jamaica International Invitational track and field meet, at the National Stadium in Kingston, on Saturday night. Jamaicans Michael Frater (10.13), right, and Dwight Thomas (10.18), left, finished second and fifth, respectively.
Darrel Brown produced his fastest-ever 100 metres opener at the Jamaica International Invitational track and field meet, at the National Stadium in Kingston on Saturday night.
With a 1.3 metres per second wind at his back, the Trinidad and Tobago sprint star scorched the track in 10.02 seconds to top the men's century field, beating Jamaicans Michael Frater (10.13) and Lerone Clarke (10.15) into second and third, respectively.
"I just went out, tried to execute, and waited for the outcome," Brown told the Express, after the race. "Luckily, it was 10.02."
There was victory as well for Brown's compatriot, Sherridan Kirk, in the men's 800m.
Kirk dominated his rivals in the two-lap race, returning a time of one minute, 46.85 seconds to finish well ahead of Haiti's Moise Joseph (1:48.16) and move into fourth spot on the IAAF (International Association of Athletics Federations) 2007 performance list. Mexican Martell Munguia was third in 1:48.22.
T&T sprinter Aaron Armstrong clocked 20.90 seconds to bag bronze in the men's 200m. American Tyson Gay was first to the line in 19.97 seconds, the fastest time in the world this year, with Jamaica's Chris Williams a distant second in 20.67.
In the women's 800m, Melissa De Leon got home in 2:04.08 to finish fifth. Jamaica's Kenia Sinclair (1:59.19), Marion Burnett (2:01.53) of Guyana, Canadian Rebecca Johnstone (2:03.13) and Sinclair's compatriot Korine Hinds (2:03.62) were first, second, third and fourth, respectively.
And T&T-born American track star Kerron Clement snapped up silver in the men's 400m hurdles. Clement clocked 48.72 seconds to finish between fellow-Americans Derrick Williams (48.65) and Michael Tinsley (48.96).
Brown ran a personal best 9.99 seconds in 2005, but was unable to come close to that time in 2006. His fastest 100m clocking last year was 10.11 seconds.
"Hopefully, once I stay healthy, I should run a PR (personal record) by the end of the season."
Brown switched his training base from Alabama, USA to Jamaica at the end of the 2006 season. The 2003 World Championship 100m silver medallist joined the MVP Track & Field Club, and in October began his off-season training programme under the watchful eyes of world-renowned coach Stephen Francis.
"I think it's that. This is my fastest opener ever...I believe the switch and the different training methods are responsible. The 400s I ran early in the season made me stronger. Even though I do not like it at all, the 400 made me stronger for the 100. It helped tonight." Jamaica's 100m world record holder Asafa Powell and Frater-the 2005 World Championship 100m silver medallist-are among Brown's training partners.
"The intensity is very hard because of the amount of fast guys here. The guys train very hard."
Brown, whose 10.02 clocking earned him second spot on the IAAF 2007 performance list behind Bahamian Derrick Atkins (9.98), is hopeful of a top-three finish in the men's 100m dash at the August 25-September 2 World Championships in Osaka, Japan.
"Any race a sprinter goes into he hopes to win. If I fall short, silver is good," the 22-year-old T&T sprinter ended, "but I'm trying for gold."
