A BIG SMILE AND A FIST PUMP as the times flashed on the jumbotron showed Kierre Beckles’ satisfaction after she set a new national record last night at the IAAF World Championships in Beijing, China.
With a time of 12.88 seconds, Beckles crossed the finish line in second place behind Olympic silver medallist American Dawn Harper Nelson (12.79). In the process, she shattered her existing national record of 12.98 set in May last year.
Ironically, it was the same time Beckles did last month at the North America, Central America and Caribbean (NACAC) Senior Championships in San Jose, Costa Rica when she won a bronze medal, but was denied the record by a 4.1 tailwind.
American Brianna Rollins had the fastest qualifying time of 12.67 seconds.
Three Jamaica also advanced to the next round. They are Danielle Williams (12.77), her sister Shermaine with a personal best 12.78 and Kimberly Laing, who nabbed the last qualifying spot with 13.10 seconds.
Bahamians Devynne Charlton and Adanaca Browne did not advance with 13.16 and 13.74 seconds, respectively.
The semi-finals and finals will run on Friday.
Also advancing from the Caribbean out of last night’s session was former World Youth and World Juniors champion Frederick Dacres of Jamaica who led all comers with 65.77 metres in qualifying for the discus final. Chad Wright (61.53) and Jason Morgan (60.85) did not advance.
Also missing out was Bahamian Bianca Stuart with a best of 6.34 metres in the long jump.
However, St Lucia can boast two finalists in the women’s high jump. NACAC and Pan American Games gold medallist Levern Spencer and NCAA champion Jeanelle Scheper both cleared the standard of 1.92 metres to advance. (SAT)
https://youtube.com/watch?v=-eNjkfD8Wpo
