Sprint hurdler Kierre Beckles went where no Barbadian woman has ever gone before when she sped to a sizzling 12.98 seconds in the 100 metres hurdles at the NTC/Pure Athletics Last Chance Meet in Clermont, Florida, yesterday.
Beckles not only set a new national record, but also became the first local female sprint hurdler to run sub-13 seconds. She placed fourth in the race which was won by Tenaya Jones in 12.75 seconds from LaVonne Idlette (12.84).
In the process, Beckles, a former Lester Vaughan student, shattered her own 2011 record of 13.01 seconds, again making the qualifying mark for the Commonwealth Games in Scotland from July 27 to August 2.
There was more good news as former World champion Ryan Brathwaite also qualified for the Glasgow Games for the first time this season in winning the men’s 110m hurdles with his season best of 13.47 seconds.
Both Shane Brathwaite and Greggmar Swift had already qualified in the event, going under the required standard of 13.55 seconds.
At the same meet, Trinidadian Richard Thompson ran 9.74 but there was no wind reading to legitimise the time.
Less than three weeks before the National Championships from June 20 to 22, which will be the last qualifying meet, at least 12 Barbadians have qualified for the Commonwealth Games, some in two events.
Apart from Beckles, Sade Mariah Greenidge has also met the qualifying standard in the 100m hurdles while sprinters Andrew Hinds and Levi Cadogan have qualified in both the 100 and 200 metres.
The experienced Jade Bailey is the lone woman to qualify in the 100 metres but she is joined by Sada Williams and Shavonne Husbands in the 200 metres.
Nadia Cummings has also met the qualifying standard in the women’s 400 metres while Akela Jones has qualified in the long jump.
The times for sprinter Ramon Gittens in the 100 and 200 metres at a meet in Trinidad and Tobago on May 10 are still to be confirmed.
