Simmonds shines in Rome

Sprint hurdler Megan Simmonds led the way on what was a fairly successful day for Jamaican athletes at the Golden Gala Pietro Mennea Diamond League meet in Rome, Italy yesterday.

   Simmonds,  the only winner for Jamaica,  raced to a season's best 12.50 seconds to capture the 100m hurdles. Former world record holder Kendra Harrison of the United States was second in 12.52, while Nadine Visser of the Netherlands was third in 12.58. Jamaica's Danielle Williams was sixth in a season's best 12.69.

A very delighted Simmonds described the win as 'a good result'.

"It is quite a good result. I wanted to run faster, but the season is long, so we are taking it step by step and day by day. 

"This season is for my fans. Always when I step to the start line, I think I have 10 opportunities to do well and show what I am capable of. This is who I am. Early in my career, the surroundings took me away from who I am, but going to Tokyo last year and training in a fantastic group, I came back to who I am. I am excited and I am winning races. There is no better feeling. I am living a dream right now."

Jamaica had six top-three finishes, including two second-place and four third-place results.

World Championships 110m hurdles silver medallist Orlando Bennett was second in 13.31. American Trey Cunningham won the event in a meet record, personal best and world-leading 12.98, while Enrique Llopis of Spain  was third in 13.32.

There was also second-place finish for Jordan Scott in the triple jump with 17.33m. Jaydon Hibbert placed third with 17.02m. Cuba's Andy Hernandez Diaz won with a season's best 17.59m. Romaine Beckford placed third in the men's high jump with 2.23m and Raymond Richards was seventh clearing 2.20m 

National champion Nickisha Pryce finished third in the women's 400m after clocking 49.80 seconds. Lieke Klaver of the Netherlands won in a season's best 49.60.

   Rushell Clayton was third in women's 400m hurdles in a season's best 53.14 seconds. Emma Zapletova of Slovakia won in a world leading and national record 52.58 ahead of American  Anna Cockrell in a season's best 52.77.

In other events involving Jamaicans, Rajindra Campbell was fifth in the shot put with 21.39m, Tajay Gayle was fourth in the long jump with 8.04m, and Wayne Pinnock eighth with 7.74m.  

There were big wins on the day for St Lucia's Julien Alfred and Noah Lyles of the United States.

Alfred, the world leader in the women's 200m, stormed to victory in the half lap event in 21.93 seconds. World champion Melissa Jefferson-Wooden of the United States was second in 22.17 in her season opener, while fellow American Anavia Battle finished third in 22.39.

World Championships bronze medallist Noah Lyles raced to an impressive season's best and the world's second-fastest time of 9.88 in the 100m. Emmanuel Eseme of Cameroon was second in 9.94, while Botswana's Letsile Tebogo finished third in 9.95. Jamaica's Ackeem Blake ended seventh in 10.06.