2014 NGC/Sagicor Open Champs: Fri.20th ~ Sun.22nd June @HCS (Event videos added)

[Socapro]

This is the best I have seen DB in years. That race reminded me of the old DB.. I guess the new DB now.

Why are some of you folks getting so carried away with DB? When Darrel can repeat a similar time performance abroad or even at home a number of times this season then we can officially say that the old or a new DB is back but until then its best for us to manage our expectations.

There were other runners in the race who we should also be focusing on who have been running consistently better times than DB.

Right now I am worried about Sorrillo who seem to have pulled a muscle or gotten a muscle cramp during the race and would probably have beaten DB and challenged Bledman for 2nd place if his leg muscle didn't play up.
I am hoping that Sorrillo is not seriously injured as he is our best chance of a medal in the 200m sprint at the upcoming Commonwealth Games and is also an important member of our 4x100m Relay squad which we are hoping will also medal at the CW Games after our silver success at the recent World Relays in the Bahamas.

I also feel bad for 18 year old Jonathan Farinha who would have probably bettered his PB of 10.25 in the 100m final had he not false started and was given his matching orders to remove himself from the Final.

See race video again to appreciate my worry about Sorrillo who was just hitting top form at the right time in time for the upcoming Commonwealth Games. He ran 10.09 in winning Heat 1 in the build up to the final and was probably holding something back for the Final as most of the other favourites were probably doing.

Men 100m Semi 1 (winner Sorrillo 10.09); Semi 2 (winner Brown 10.28); & Semi 3 (Bledman 10.03)
Plus 'A' Final (winner Thompson 9.82 NR & WL) at Senior Champs 2014
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/63Q-qFr5FlQ" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/63Q-qFr5FlQ</a>
Go to 0:48 in video for 100m A Final where Richard "Torpedo" Thompson ran 9.82 NR & WL
Also notice how Sorrillo is holding his left hamstring at end of the Final! Quite worrying!!

Event 7  Men 100 Meter Dash
===============================================================================     
          NR: $  9.85  8/13/2011   Richard Thompson                                 
                10.30  CAC CAC GAMES                                               
                10.30  CW Commonwealth Games                                       
                10.35  U23 NACAC U-23                                               
    Name              Year Team                    Finals        Wind H# Points     
===============================================================================
Section  2 Finals   Wind: 1.7                                                               
  1 Thompson, Richard      Rebirth                10.20       9.82$CAC                       
  2 Bledman, Keston        Simplex                10.03      10.00 CAC                       
  3 Brown, Darrel          Rebirth                10.28      10.05 CAC                       
  4 Burns, Marc            Rebirth                10.44      10.21 CAC                       
  5 Sorrillo, Rondell      LA Brea Athletics      10.09      10.23 CAC                       
  6 Callender, Emmanuel     Memphis Pioneers       10.34      10.26 CAC                       
  7 Greaux, Kyle           Abilene Wildcats       10.39      10.39                           
 -- Farinha, Jonathan      Abilene Wildcats       10.39         FS         Rule 162

Regards DB when he can repeat that time of 10.05 or better at home or abroad in legal conditions and does not pick up another injury then I will celebrate that he is getting back to his best but until such time I will remain cautious.

[Socapro]

Gordon, Ahye, Borel shine at National Champs
…Jehue upset in 400m hurdles
Published: Tuesday, June 24, 2014 (T&T Guardian)

La Londe Gordon came from behind on Sunday afternoon to edge Renny Quow on the line in the men’s 200m final and prevent the latter from achieving the double on the final day of the NGC/Sagicor Open Track and Field Championships at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Port-of-Spain.
 
Quow, representing Zenith, narrowly got past Gordon on Saturday to win gold in the men’s 400m final. Quow stopped the clock in 45.073 seconds, while Gordon representing Nike, finished a close second in 45.077.
 
Yesterday, Quow had a small lead over the field heading into the final 100m. Unfortunately for Quow, Gordon’s final kick was stronger and he came back to win gold in 20.38.
 
Quow won silver in 20.41, while Kyle Greaux of Abilene Wildcats took bronze in 20.59.
 
Rebirth athlete Michelle-Lee Ahye won another gold medal, capturing the women’s 200m title easily in 22.95. On Saturday, Ahye won the 100m gold in 10.88. Reyare Thomas of Neon Trackers was second in 23.17 and Kayelle Clarke snatched bronze in 23.44.
 
World 400m hurdles champion Jehue Gordon had to settle for silver on the day. The Memphis Pioneers athlete clocked 49.69, finishing behind Rebirth’s Emmanuel Mayers (49.57). Cuban Jose Luis Gaspar came third in 51.06.
 
In the women’s shot put, national record holder Cleopatra Borel showed her class, winning gold with a top throw of 18.63m. The Cuban duo of Yaniuvis Lopez (17.37m) and Sahily Viart (15.67m) won silver and gold respectively.
 
RESULTS
 
Women 200m B Finals
1 Allison Peter (Elite Performance) - 23.51
2 Alisha Fortune (Guyana) - 24.51
3 Mauricia Prieto (Point Fortin) - 24.67
 
Women’s 200m A Finals
1 Michelle-Lee Ahye (Rebirth) - 22.95
2 Reyare Thomas (Neon Trackers) - 23.17
3 Kayelle Clarke (Pet. P.A.P) - 23.44
 
Men’s 200m B Final
1 Akanni Hislop (Zenith) - 21.36
2 Kevin Haynes (T & T D/Force) - 21.50
3 Micah Ballantyne (Alpha Athletics) - 21.62
 
Men’s 200m A Final
1 La Londe Gordon (Nike) - 20.38
2 Renny Quow (Zenith) - 20.41 
3 Kyle Greaux (Abilene Wildcats) - 20.59 
 
Men 400m Hurdles Final
1 Emmanuel Mayers (Rebirth) - 49.57
2 Jehue Gordon (Memphis Pioneers) - 49.69
3 Jose Luis Gaspar (Cuba) - 51.06
 
Women’s Shot Put 4kg Finals
1 Cleopatra Borel (Rebirth) - 18.63m
2 Yaniuvis Lopez (Cuba) - 17.37m   
3 Sahily Viart (Cuba) - 15.67m
 
Women 800m Finals 
1 Alena Brooks (Memphis Pioneers) - 2:08.32
2 Dawnell Collymore (Memphis Pioneers) - 2:17.43
3 Andrea Foster (Guyana) - 2:19.86
 
Men 800m Finals
1 Andy Gonzalez (Cuba) - 1:48.39
2 Jamaal James (Rebirth) - 1:48.57
3 Kendis Bullard (T & T D/Force) - 1:48.64
 
Women’s Long Jump Finals
1 Ayanna Alexander (Unattached) - 5.87m 
2 Josanne Joseph (Concorde) - 5.83m
3 Dannielle Davis (Unattached) - 5.75m
 
Men’s High Jump Finals
1 Brendan Williams (Dominica) - 2.03m
2 Omari Benoit (Tobago Falcons) - 2.00m
3 Rodney Liverpool (T & T D/Force) - 1.95m
 
Men 4x400m Relay Finals
1 Nat'L Jnr U-20  'A' - 3:11.10 (Asa Guevara, Nathan Farinha, Breon Mullings, Ohdel James)
2 Nat'L Jnr U-18  'A' - 3:11.14 (Kobe John, Terry Frederick, Jacob St Clair, Kashief King)   
3 T&T Defence Force  'A' - 3:11.45 (Anika Prince, Deverne Charles, Cliffton Sylvester, Kevin Haynes)
 
Women’s 4x100m Relay Finals
1 Nat'L Jnr U-20  'A' - 44.99 (Aaliyah Telesford, Zakiya Denoon, Mauricia Prieto, Kayelle Clarke)
 
Men 4x100m Relay Finals
1 Nat'L Jnr U-20  'A' - 40.55 (John Mark Constantine, Jonathan Farinha, Breon Mullings, Micah Ballantyne) 
2 Nat'L Jnr U-18  'A' - 41.73 (David Winchester, Akanni Hislop, Corey Stewart, Xavier Mulugata)   
3 Dovers  'A' - 42.96 (Keston Black, Jordan Joseph, Kushaun Joachim, Aaron Brewster)   

[Socapro]

Track and field athletes impress T&T Olympic boss
...Thompson, Ahyee, Bellille, Gordon, Quow stand out
Published: Tuesday, June 24, 2014
By: Sean Nero (T&T Guardian)

Brian Lewis, president of the T&T Olympic Committee (TTOC), has described last weekend’s Sagicor/NGC Senior Open Track and Field Championships as a tremendous confidence boaster for this country’s participation at the XX Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, from July 23-August 3.
 
The performances of the athletes at the three-day meet staged by the National Association of Athletics Administrations (NAAA) at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo, saw Olympic medallist Richard Thompson of Rebirth dethrone Keston Bledman to reclaim the men’s 100-metre title, and in the process establish a new national record of 9.82 seconds. Thompson previously held the national record of 9.85 since 2011.
 
Meanwhile, Janeil Bellille of Neon Trackers broke a 16-year-old national record in the women’s 400m to capture the quarter mile title in 51.83. Olympians Jarrin Solomon, Lalonde Gordon and Renny Quow battled for tops honours in the men’s 400-metre finals. It was Quow, however, who got the edge to clinch gold in 45.073.
 
In a G-sport interview, Lewis said, “Oh… Very encouraging! And it wasn’t only the performances of those who won. It’s great to see for example in the 100 metres Marc Burns and Darrel Brown. They have been around for quite a while being very competitive. Darrel Brown is at his best time I think since 2003. He has had a very tough time and for him to keep fighting and never give up that’s the kind of thing that people must understand: that resilience, that perseverance, that indomitable will.
 
We look at Michelle Lee-Ahye. Her performances continue to improve year on year. You have some of the younger people coming through (like) Kia Selvon. I am very hopeful.”
 
He added: “We are going into the Commonwealth Games with a tremendous confidence boaster with this weekend’s track and field performances at the track and field championships. We have this confidence boaster with Njisane’s (Phillip) performances. He seems to be back on track, so to speak, from his health issues earlier this year. George Bovell III seems to be evergreen and still improving. So, I think there is reasonable cause for significant optimism heading into the Commonwealth Games. I like what I am seeing from the young boxer Michael Alexander.”
 
Lewis scoffed at those in society who insist on ruling out the ability of athletes when their medal copping performances dipped. He described this practice of writing off such athletes as “a little fickle.” The TTOC official marvelled at the speed at which the public build up athletes when they were in championship mode, but were quicker to dismiss their medalling potential when they were going through difficult times.
 
“After the Olympics (London 2012) they were saying George Bovell III too old and you start to get these hurtful statements being made. Sport, just like life, is something that is full of ups and downs and people don’t recognise that there is a process, especially when you are involved in elite level sports. It’s a process, it’s a journey…not just a destination, and it requires perseverance and indomitable will.
 
“I believe it is the responsibility of the national sport organisations and the TTOC to be there for our athletes in good times and in bad times. If one was to judge sometimes from the talk shows and social media, you would see at times we tend to be very hard, even harsh on our athletes when they go through a loss of form,” Lewis said.
 
Lewis added: “I remember just last year, in the CPL (Caribbean Premier League), Dwayne Bravo being booed, at home. Look at the challenges Darrel Brown has had over the last couple years… Renny Quow? We have to understand that there are different reasons why people may lose form, whether it be through injury or other things and it is important that we have an environment that doesn’t come across as being band-wagonist in its approach.”
 
The TTOC official said he eagerly awaited the return of Kelly-Ann Baptiste and Semoy Hackett who were banned from competition and was not afraid to state his support publicly.
 
“I am not one of those who is there to be part of any lynch mob on these two female athletes. I have said it in the past and I will continue to say it. In my experiences dealing with them over the years, I have no doubt in my mind that they have a commitment to competing clean and air—that they are not deliberate drug cheats.
 
“I look forward to seeing them back in the mix. I think it is well publicised that Semoy Hackett’s situation has been brought to closure. She will resume her career sometime next year. From what I have seen in the media in the case of Kelly-Ann Baptiste, her due process is still on-going. That is something we just have to wait on. But I am confident that she will be able to rise above adversity and triumph,” said Lewis.

[Aviator]

Richard to get his first real quality race of the season in 10 days time

http://www.iaaf.org/news/news/paris-diamond-league-felix-powell-bowie-thomp

Seven sub-10 men in 100m field

Trinidad and Tobago’s Richard Thompson, the fastest man in the world this year, is one of seven men in the 100m field in Paris who have run faster than 10 seconds for the distance.

At last weekend’s national championships, he improved his own national record to 9.82. The 2008 Olympic silver medallist has already won at the IAAF Diamond League meeting in Oslo this year and will be looking for another victory in the series in Paris.

Among those set to take him on include world bronze medallist Nesta Carter, former world record-holder Asafa Powell, former US champion Michael Rodgers, 2003 world champion Kim Collins, European champion Christophe Lemaitre and European indoor champion Jimmy Vicaut.

[Socapro]

Richard to get his first real quality race of the season in 10 days time

http://www.iaaf.org/news/news/paris-diamond-league-felix-powell-bowie-thomp

Seven sub-10 men in 100m field

Trinidad and Tobago’s Richard Thompson, the fastest man in the world this year, is one of seven men in the 100m field in Paris who have run faster than 10 seconds for the distance.

At last weekend’s national championships, he improved his own national record to 9.82. The 2008 Olympic silver medallist has already won at the IAAF Diamond League meeting in Oslo this year and will be looking for another victory in the series in Paris.

Among those set to take him on include world bronze medallist Nesta Carter, former world record-holder Asafa Powell, former US champion Michael Rodgers, 2003 world champion Kim Collins, European champion Christophe Lemaitre and European indoor champion Jimmy Vicaut.

Good!!

Hopefully Stargirl Michelle-Lee will also get a few DL Meet invites before the Commonwealth Games. I believe she can do even more physiological damage in beating her opponents than Richard can especially as she is so young and can only improve from here on.

[Aviator]

Richard to get his first real quality race of the season in 10 days time

http://www.iaaf.org/news/news/paris-diamond-league-felix-powell-bowie-thomp

Seven sub-10 men in 100m field

Trinidad and Tobago’s Richard Thompson, the fastest man in the world this year, is one of seven men in the 100m field in Paris who have run faster than 10 seconds for the distance.

At last weekend’s national championships, he improved his own national record to 9.82. The 2008 Olympic silver medallist has already won at the IAAF Diamond League meeting in Oslo this year and will be looking for another victory in the series in Paris.

Among those set to take him on include world bronze medallist Nesta Carter, former world record-holder Asafa Powell, former US champion Michael Rodgers, 2003 world champion Kim Collins, European champion Christophe Lemaitre and European indoor champion Jimmy Vicaut.

Good!!

Hopefully Stargirl Michelle-Lee will also get a few DL Meet invites before the Commonwealth Games. I believe she can do even more physiological damage in beating her opponents than Richard can especially as she is so young and can only improve from here on.

She will be running in the Lausanne DL on July 3rd. VCB, Kerron Stewart, Okagbare will be her main opponents.
http://www.diamondleague-lausanne.com/en/Live-StartlistsResults/Overview/100m1/

[Socapro]

Richard to get his first real quality race of the season in 10 days time

http://www.iaaf.org/news/news/paris-diamond-league-felix-powell-bowie-thomp

Seven sub-10 men in 100m field

Trinidad and Tobago’s Richard Thompson, the fastest man in the world this year, is one of seven men in the 100m field in Paris who have run faster than 10 seconds for the distance.

At last weekend’s national championships, he improved his own national record to 9.82. The 2008 Olympic silver medallist has already won at the IAAF Diamond League meeting in Oslo this year and will be looking for another victory in the series in Paris.

Among those set to take him on include world bronze medallist Nesta Carter, former world record-holder Asafa Powell, former US champion Michael Rodgers, 2003 world champion Kim Collins, European champion Christophe Lemaitre and European indoor champion Jimmy Vicaut.

Good!!

Hopefully Stargirl Michelle-Lee will also get a few DL Meet invites before the Commonwealth Games. I believe she can do even more physiological damage in beating her opponents than Richard can especially as she is so young and can only improve from here on.

She will be running in the Lausanne DL on July 3rd. VCB, Kerron Stewart, Okagbare will be her main opponents.
http://www.diamondleague-lausanne.com/en/Live-StartlistsResults/Overview/100m1/

Terrific!! I hope MLA can handle the pressure as she has the ability to win this race if she relaxes and run to her current form.

Women 100m - Lausanne DL
ATHLETE   DATE OF BIRTH   NATION   PB   SB
AHOURE Murielle 23.08.1987 CIV 10.91 11.06
AHYEE Michelle-Lee 10.04.1992 TTO 10.85 10.85
BOWIE Tori 27.08.1990 USA 11.05 11.05
CAMPBELL-BROWN Veronica 15.05.1982 JAM  10.76 10.86
GARDNER English 22.04.1992 USA 10.85 11.25
KAMBUNDJI Mujinga 17.06.1992 SUI 11.33 11.33
OKAGBARE Blessing 09.10.1988 NGR 10.79 11.18
STEWART Kerron 16.04.1984 JAM 10.75 11.08

[gawd on pitch]

This is the best I have seen DB in years. That race reminded me of the old DB.. I guess the new DB now.

Why are some of you folks getting so carried away with DB? When Darrel can repeat a similar time performance abroad or even at home a number of times this season then we can officially say that the old or a new DB is back but until then its best for us to manage our expectations.

There were other runners in the race who we should also be focusing on who have been running consistently better times than DB.

Right now I am worried about Sorrillo who seem to have pulled a muscle or gotten a muscle cramp during the race and would probably have beaten DB and challenged Bledman for 2nd place if his leg muscle didn't play up.
I am hoping that Sorrillo is not seriously injured as he is our best chance of a medal in the 200m sprint at the upcoming Commonwealth Games and is also an important member of our 4x100m Relay squad which we are hoping will also medal at the CW Games after our silver success at the recent World Relays in the Bahamas.

I also feel bad for 18 year old Jonathan Farinha who would have probably bettered his PB of 10.25 in the 100m final had he not false started and was given his matching orders to remove himself from the Final.

See race video again to appreciate my worry about Sorrillo who was just hitting top form at the right time in time for the upcoming Commonwealth Games. He ran 10.09 in winning Heat 1 in the build up to the final and was probably holding something back for the Final as most of the other favourites were probably doing.

Men 100m Semi 1 (winner Sorrillo 10.09); Semi 2 (winner Brown 10.28); & Semi 3 (Bledman 10.03)
Plus 'A' Final (winner Thompson 9.82 NR & WL) at Senior Champs 2014
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/63Q-qFr5FlQ" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/63Q-qFr5FlQ</a>
Go to 0:48 in video for 100m A Final where Richard "Torpedo" Thompson ran 9.82 NR & WL
Also notice how Sorrillo is holding his left hamstring at end of the Final! Quite worrying!!

Event 7  Men 100 Meter Dash
===============================================================================     
          NR: $  9.85  8/13/2011   Richard Thompson                                 
                10.30  CAC CAC GAMES                                               
                10.30  CW Commonwealth Games                                       
                10.35  U23 NACAC U-23                                               
    Name              Year Team                    Finals        Wind H# Points     
===============================================================================
Section  2 Finals   Wind: 1.7                                                               
  1 Thompson, Richard      Rebirth                10.20       9.82$CAC                       
  2 Bledman, Keston        Simplex                10.03      10.00 CAC                       
  3 Brown, Darrel          Rebirth                10.28      10.05 CAC                       
  4 Burns, Marc            Rebirth                10.44      10.21 CAC                       
  5 Sorrillo, Rondell      LA Brea Athletics      10.09      10.23 CAC                       
  6 Callender, Emmanuel     Memphis Pioneers       10.34      10.26 CAC                       
  7 Greaux, Kyle           Abilene Wildcats       10.39      10.39                           
 -- Farinha, Jonathan      Abilene Wildcats       10.39         FS         Rule 162

Regards DB when he can repeat that time of 10.05 or better at home or abroad in legal conditions and does not pick up another injury then I will celebrate that he is getting back to his best but until such time I will remain cautious.

I know what you are saying Soca.. But how does my comment about DB, amount to me getting carried away? When was the last time you seen DB run like that? Hasnt it been years? I think you are trying to read in between the lines a little too much. Again, all I am saying is that this is the best I have seen DB in years.

In fact you posted an article that backs up my point. My question to you (in very friendly manner..), Did you read the article you posted by Sean Nero about Brian Lewis being impressed by the performances on Saturday? I guess Brian Lewis the president of TTOC is getting carried away too..

If most athletes went through what DB did.. they would have retired by now. DBs persistence and belief in himself is something I think we should teach the youth. Overcoming adversity is what its about. Thats part of the yardies success

Sorry if I am a little harsh with you Socapro.. You still do an awesome job with bringing us up to speed with T&F. 

[Socapro]

I know what you are saying Soca.. But how does my comment about DB, amount to me getting carried away? When was the last time you seen DB run like that? Hasnt it been years? I think you are trying to read in between the lines a little too much. Again, all I am saying is that this is the best I have seen DB in years.

In fact you posted an article that backs up my point. My question to you (in very friendly manner..), Did you read the article you posted by Sean Nero about Brian Lewis being impressed by the performances on Saturday? I guess Brian Lewis the president of TTOC is getting carried away too..

If most athletes went through what DB did.. they would have retired by now. DBs persistence and belief in himself is something I think we should teach the youth. Overcoming adversity is what its about. Thats part of the yardies success

Sorry if I am a little harsh with you Socapro.. You still do an awesome job with bringing us up to speed with T&F. 

Okay I take your point about DB's resilience, perseverance, and indomitable will which is a great example to anyone in any arena not to give up on their dreams and ambitions.

My main worry is that folks start expecting too much of DB because of one good run and start getting carried away that he is again a world beater when he is yet to prove that. All I am saying is lets manage our expectations of DB with this comeback talk and not count chickens before they hatch as we might place too much pressure on him leading to him getting injured once again.

Also I need to correct something that Brian Lewis said in regards to DB's 10.05 run.

In a G-sport interview, Lewis said, “Oh… Very encouraging! And it wasn’t only the performances of those who won. It’s great to see for example in the 100 metres Marc Burns and Darrel Brown. They have been around for quite a while being very competitive. Darrel Brown is at his best time I think since 2003. He has had a very tough time and for him to keep fighting and never give up that’s the kind of thing that people must understand: that resilience, that perseverance, that indomitable will.

Brian gives the impression that the 10.05 that Darrel ran on Saturday is his best run since 2003 when in reality Darrel Brown ran 10.05 as recent as 2009. Note all of DB's decent times since 2009 have only been ran once for the year at National Champs in PoS and have not been repeated outside of Trinidad.
Check this link to confirm details below: http://www.iaaf.org/athletes/trinidad-and-tobago/darrel-brown-170098#progression

DARREL BROWN 100 METRES
PERFORMANCE   WIND   PLACE   DATE
2014    10.05    +1.7    Port of Spain    21 JUN
2012    10.25    -0.2    Port of Spain    23 JUN
2011    10.13    +1.0    Port of Spain    13 AUG
2009    10.05    +0.5    Port of Spain    20 JUN
2008    10.02    +1.4    Doha    09 MAY
2007    10.02    +1.3    Kingston (NS), JAM    05 MAY
2006    10.11    -0.3    Thessaloníki    24 JUL
2005    9.99    +1.0    Port of Spain    25 JUN
2004    10.11    -0.6    Ciudad de México    22 MAY
2003    10.01    0.0    Paris Saint-Denis (Stade de France)    24 AUG
2002    10.09    -0.6    Kingston, JAM    17 JUL
2001    10.24    0.0    Bridgetown    14 APR
2000    10.34    -0.6    Santiago de Chile    17 OCT

Outside of that error Brian Lewis made some good points as quoted in that article I posted above.
But my point is lets not get too carried away until DB can repeat that 10.05 performance or faster at least a few times this season and hopefully outside of T&T as well. Until then lets manage our expectations and avoid placing too much pressure on DB as we also have other good athletes like Sorrillo, Farinha, etc to focus on.

[gawd on pitch]

I know what you are saying Soca.. But how does my comment about DB, amount to me getting carried away? When was the last time you seen DB run like that? Hasnt it been years? I think you are trying to read in between the lines a little too much. Again, all I am saying is that this is the best I have seen DB in years.

In fact you posted an article that backs up my point. My question to you (in very friendly manner..), Did you read the article you posted by Sean Nero about Brian Lewis being impressed by the performances on Saturday? I guess Brian Lewis the president of TTOC is getting carried away too..

If most athletes went through what DB did.. they would have retired by now. DBs persistence and belief in himself is something I think we should teach the youth. Overcoming adversity is what its about. Thats part of the yardies success

Sorry if I am a little harsh with you Socapro.. You still do an awesome job with bringing us up to speed with T&F. 

Okay I take your point about DB's resilience, perseverance, and indomitable will which is a great example to anyone in any arena not to give up on their dreams and ambitions.

My main worry is that folks start expecting too much of DB because of one good run and start getting carried away that he is again a world beater when he is yet to prove that. All I am saying is lets manage our expectations of DB with this comeback talk and not count chickens before they hatch as we might place too much pressure on him leading to him getting injured once again.

Also I need to correct something that Brian Lewis said in regards to DB's 10.05 run.

In a G-sport interview, Lewis said, “Oh… Very encouraging! And it wasn’t only the performances of those who won. It’s great to see for example in the 100 metres Marc Burns and Darrel Brown. They have been around for quite a while being very competitive. Darrel Brown is at his best time I think since 2003. He has had a very tough time and for him to keep fighting and never give up that’s the kind of thing that people must understand: that resilience, that perseverance, that indomitable will.

Brian gives the impression that the 10.05 that Darrel ran on Saturday is his best run since 2003 when in reality Darrel Brown ran 10.05 as recent as 2009. Note all of DB's decent times since 2009 have only been ran once for the year at National Champs in PoS and have not been repeated outside of Trinidad.
Check this link to confirm details below: http://www.iaaf.org/athletes/trinidad-and-tobago/darrel-brown-170098#progression

DARREL BROWN 100 METRES
PERFORMANCE   WIND   PLACE   DATE
2014    10.05    +1.7    Port of Spain    21 JUN
2012    10.25    -0.2    Port of Spain    23 JUN
2011    10.13    +1.0    Port of Spain    13 AUG
2009    10.05    +0.5    Port of Spain    20 JUN
2008    10.02    +1.4    Doha    09 MAY
2007    10.02    +1.3    Kingston (NS), JAM    05 MAY
2006    10.11    -0.3    Thessaloníki    24 JUL
2005    9.99    +1.0    Port of Spain    25 JUN
2004    10.11    -0.6    Ciudad de México    22 MAY
2003    10.01    0.0    Paris Saint-Denis (Stade de France)    24 AUG
2002    10.09    -0.6    Kingston, JAM    17 JUL
2001    10.24    0.0    Bridgetown    14 APR
2000    10.34    -0.6    Santiago de Chile    17 OCT

Outside of that error Brian Lewis made some good points as quoted in that article I posted above.
But my point is lets not get too carried away until DB can repeat that 10.05 performance or faster at least a few times this season and hopefully outside of T&T as well. Until then lets manage our expectations and avoid placing too much pressure on DB as we also have other good athletes like Sorrillo, Farinha, etc to focus on.

Agreed Socapro. I like reasoning with you. Other guys on here get into name calling and telling people how stupid they are when they dont agree with their opinion.. (not calling any names, you and I both know who some of the culprits are). Any ways, like you said we need to manage our expectations as fans. When it comes to the resurgent DB, lets take one step at a time.

Yes I did see an error in the article. I dont think Brian Lewis was necessarily referring to time. I could be wrong.

[Deeks]

I usually jump on Brian Lewis when he makes statements. But this timehis satement appears to be guarded optimism and not getting overboard by the performances.

[Socapro]

Ahye Posts World Leading 10.85 in Trinidad
Monday, 23 June 2014 (Watchathletics.com)

An impressive world leading mark of 10.85 seconds in Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago over the weekend achieved by Michelle-Lee Ahye at the Trinidad and Tobago national senior championships.

The 22 year old world indoor championships 60m dash finalist clocked 2014 world's best mark of 10.85 seconds in the semi finals and the second fastest time of 10.88 seconds in the final.

Janeil Belillle set a new national record of 51.83 in the women's 400m final.

Another superb performances in Port of Spain came from Olympic medalist Richard Thompson, who broke his national record with a world leading mark of  9.82 (+1.7) in the 100m. The second place finisher Keston Bledman clocked 10.00 and Darrel Brown who took third posted 10.05 seconds.

In the men's 110m hurdles Wayne Davis Jr. impressed with his winning time of 13.21.

The men's 400m final needed a close look at photo-finish as Renny Quow narrowly by 0.004 defeated Lalonde Gordon both 45.08. Jarrin Solomon took the third place with 45.59.

[Socapro]

22 JUN 2014 REPORT PORT OF SPAIN, TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
THOMPSON AND AHYE RUN WORLD-LEADING 100M TIMES AT TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO CHAMPIONSHIPS
Kwame Laurence for the IAAF

Richard “Torpedo” Thompson and Michelle-Lee Ahye produced a pair of sizzling performances at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Port of Spain, on Saturday and Sunday (21-22) at the Trinidad and Tobago Championships.

Thompson, the 2008 Olympic silver medallist, broke his own national record, bolting to victory in the men’s 100m final in a world-leading 9.82. It was 0.03 faster than the previous record he set in 2011 on the same track.

“I’m thrilled with the performance,” Thompson told the Trinidad Express. “I didn’t come in chasing any time. The national record was the furthest thing from my mind. I knew I had a quality field to deal with, people like Rondel Sorrillo, Darrel Brown, Keston Bledman, Marc Burns, the usual suspects.”

By midpoint in the race, Thompson looked a winner, the Louisiana-based sprinter motoring to the line ahead of defending champion Bledman, the eventual silver medallist in 10.00. There was a welcome return to form for Brown, the former world junior champion earning bronze in 10.05. Burns (10.21) and Sorrillo (10.23) finished fourth and fifth respectively.

Ahye was also on fire at the Crawford Stadium and secured the sprint double. She seized gold in the women’s 100m in 10.88, having earlier clocked a world-leading 10.85 in the semi-final, and then returned a day later to take the 200m title.

In the 100m final, Ahye darted to the front, and then opened up a huge gap on her rivals, Kai Selvon finishing a distant second in 11.32.

Before this weekend, the 22-year-old sprinter had a personal best of 11.04. She has now moved to second on the Trinidad and Tobago all-time list and is just 0.02 away from the national record.

“It was unexpected,” said Ahye. “For the semis I was like wow. I was shocked. I was very excited.”

Just like in the shorter event, Ahye's best performance in the 200m came in the semi-final when she clocked a lifetime best of 22.77, running into a -1.1m/s wind. She dipped below 23 seconds again in the final, running 22.95.

Reyare Thomas got to the line in a personal best 23.17 to secure silver. Kayelle Clarke also produced her best-ever wind-legal run, the teenager bagging bronze in 23.44 as she prepares for next month's IAAF World Junior Championships.

Records, close finishes and surprise defeats over one lap of the track

Janeil Bellille erased a 16-year-old national record from the books. The Texas A&M University student won the women’s 400m in 51.83, bettering the 51.96 standard established by Beverly Pierre back in 1998.

In one of the biggest surprises of the weekend, world champion Jehue Gordon was beaten in the 400m hurdles. Emanuel Mayers captured the title in a PB of 49.57, forcing Gordon to settle for silver in 49.69.

It was the first time that Gordon had been beaten by a compatriot in the 400m hurdles since May 2008.

Renny Quow won the men’s 400m title, edging Lalonde Gordon into second spot. Both athletes clocked 45.08, but Quow had the edge in the photo finish, beating his rival by four thousandths of a second. Jarrin Solomon bagged bronze in 45.59.

At the top of the home straight, Gordon was in front, but Quow reeled in the Olympic bronze medallist close to the end, before out-leaning him at the line.

On Sunday, Gordon turned the tables on Quow in retaining his 200m title in 20.38, running into a -2.2m/s headwind. Quow was stronger in the first half of the 200m final, but Gordon was the man on the home straight, powering past his rival to strike gold. Quow claimed silver in 20.41, while Kyle Greaux clocked 20.59 to take home bronze.

Wayne Davis was superb in the 110m hurdles, securing gold in a championship record of 13.21. It also broke the Trinidad and Tobago all-comers’ record, set by Roger Kingdom back in 1985. Mikel Thomas – whose national record is just 0.02 less than Davis’s winning time – picked up silver in 13.45, while bronze went to Durell Busby in 13.64.

In the absence of Olympic champion Keshorn Walcott, Shakeil Waithe set a PB to win the men’s javelin, the 2014 Carifta Games boys’ under-20 champion hurling the spear 72.75m.

Cleopatra Borel threw 18.63m to win her ninth national shot put title. Cuba's Yaniuvis Lopez was second with 17.37m.

[Socapro]

Sagicor pledges commitment to track and field
Published: Friday, July 18, 2014
Sean Nero (T&T Guardian)

Track and Field in T&T will always have a friend in Sagicor General Insurance (SGI) says Dyan Loutan-Ali, vice-president of local operations. She made the announcement at the company’s tenth anniversary celebration held at Hyatt Regency Trinidad on Dock Road in Port-of-Spain, yesterday.
 
Sagicor General was a title sponsor of the National Association of Athletics Administrations (NAAA) Senior Open Championships held at the Hasely Crawford National Stadium in Woodbrook last June. On that occasion Richard Thompson broke his own national record of 9.85 by three hundredths of a second–a 9.82 seconds run in the 100-metre re-match against fellow Olympic medallist Keston Bledman.
 
The spectacular performance earned him the honour as the ninth fastest athlete in the history of the sport as he went on to hold the world’s top spot for two weeks as declared by the IAAF. Thompson is now ranked second in the world. Justin Gatlin of the United States was able to better Thompson’s time by two hundredths in Lausanne Diamond League meet on July 3.
 
Michelle Lee Ahye was also praised having won her 100-metre at the Sagicor Senior Open Championships. As of yesterday, her standing remained unchanged as the world’s number one since that performance. These were among the top-performing athletes who have convinced the regional insurance giant to focus its corporate social responsibility on sport and, in this instance, track and field.
 
Loutan-Ali said her company continued to grow its market share and it would keep reinvesting in the sport, which continued to produce world champion medallists at every international championship. Loutan-Ali said T&T operations of SGI remained strong and consequently served as the largest revenue generator of all its branches in the network across the Caribbean.
 
“Compared to other companies that wrote a similar income the fact that SGI achieved so much with less than 100 in head count was in itself a great accomplishment,” Loutan-Ali said.
 
“Today, T&T counts for 58 per cent of the entire Sagicor General underwriting portfolio. The T&T branch has successfully contributed to the rapid growth of the company. Prior to the opening of the branch in 2004, SGI recorded a gross premium income of $145 million dollars.
 
“Today, the company writes 396 million. In addition to the premium growth, the branch, through its prudent financial management, has contributed significantly to the growth on SGI’s balance sheet which stood at $659 million at the end of 2013. It is no surprise that SGI has maintained an AM Best rating of A-Excellent since June 2002.”
 
Loutan-Ali added: “To improve the lives of the people in the communities in which we operate represents a section of our vision which we at Sagicor General are very passionate about.
 
“It is for this reason we have sponsored events such as the NAAA. This particular event has had our support since 2004 when we started operations in T&T. We believe that these games open many doors for our athletes and in particular our youth, through scholarships, endorsements and opportunities to represent our country at one of the highest level.”
 
To the benefit of future athletes and the national community as well, the Sagicor official said three years ago, the company took the decision to adopt projects in communities that would enhance the level of education to primary school children. So far, the insurer provided air conditioning to the Brasso and Caparo Primary Schools and refurbished and restocked the library at the Salazar Trace Primary School in Point Fortin.
 
“The success of these initiatives was made possible because of the contribution and dedication of personal time by both Sagicor General and Sagicor Life staff. In 2013, we partnered with Sagicor Life with the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Programme in an effort to promote science in secondary schools throughout the Caribbean countries in which the Sagicor Group has a presence. This was quite successful and we will be continuing this initiative,” Loutan-Ali said.