DOUBLE sprint world record holder Usain Bolt produced a scintillating world-leading mark of 19.56secs in a negative wind of (-0.8 m/s) to win the men’s 200 metres to highlight the 7th JN/Jamaica International Invitational at the National Stadium last night.
Kenia Sinclair, Carmelita Jeter, Novlene Williams-Mills and Chaunte Howard also posted world leading marks in the 800m, 100m, 400m and high jump events in the hotly contested IAAF Area Permit Meet.
Watched by a capacity crowd of 30,000 cheering spectators, Bolt exploded from the blocks and took the lead by the 60m mark before opening up a 10-metre gap on his closest rival Wallace Spearmon.
The triple Olympic and World Championship gold medallist bettered his own stadium record of 19.75 done in 2007.
Former World championship medallist Spearmon, who had the previous world-leading mark of 20.20, was second in 19.98. American Ryan Bailey was third in 20.43.
Jamaica’s two-time Olympic gold medallist Veronica Campbell Brown obliged in the women’s equivalent in 22.60. Campbell Brown took an unassailable lead at the 70m mark before pressing home to victory.
A fast-finishing Cydonie Mothersill of Cayman was second in 22.70 ahead of America Bianka Knight, 22.77.
Jeter produced a late burst to catch World and Olympic silver medallist Kerron Stewart at the line to take the women’s 100m in 10.94secs.
Jeter, who clocked a career-best 10.64 last year to become the second fastest women in history behind world record holder Florrence Griffith-Joyner (10.49), was elated with her effort.
Stewart clocked 10.96, while American Marshevet Myers was third in 11.13. The men’s equivalent went to Olympic Relay gold medallist Nesta Carter, who shrugged off a false start to win in 10.09.
World Champs finalist Darvis Patton was second in 10.23 ahead of Olympic silver medallist Richard Thompson of Trinidad and Tobago with 10.25. Yohan Blake had earlier false-started.
2006 World Indoor silver medallist Kenia Sinclair produced a brisk world-leading 1 minute 58.62 to win the women’s 800m in a meet record.
Niesha Bernard Thomas of Greneda placed second in 1:59.60, while American Hazel Clarke was third in 2:0.45. Khadevis Davis of the USA won the men’s race in 1:47.57 ahead of Jamaica’s Aldwin Sappleton in a close finish.
2007 world championship 400m bronze medallist Novlene Williams-Mills was impressive in posting a world-leading 50.32 to top Monica Hargrove (51.42) and Dehasha Trotter (51.52).
The men’s equivalent went to 2007 World 100m and 200 champion Tyson Gay in 45.05. Former Commonwealth bronze medallist Jermaine Gonzales was second in 45.22.
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