Locals dominate inaugural Barbados Grand Prix

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC):

QUARTER-MILERS SADA Williams and Dasean Boyce, along with sprinter Ross Walrond, were among several Barbadians in winners’ row at the inaugural Barbados Grand Prix on Saturday at the Usain Bolt Sports Complex.

Williams, a World Championship bronze medallist, did just enough to claim gold in the women’s 400 metres in a time of 51.15 seconds, just ahead of Printassia Johnson of The Bahamas in 51.29 seconds, with Jamaica’s Shana-Kaye Anderson claiming bronze in 52.72 seconds.

Boyce was also victorious in the men’s equivalent, crossing the finish line in 45.78 seconds to lead a one-two-three finish for Barbados, with teammates Kyle Gayle and Jonathan Jones, clocking 46.04 and 46.43 seconds, respectively.

Meanwhile, Walrond stormed to victory in the men’s 200 metres in 20.63 seconds, with Demar Francis of Jamaica a close second in 20.68 seconds and Barbados’ Kuron Griffith third in 20.74.

Hometown girl Adeyah Brewster was a comfortable winner in the women’s 100m hurdles in 13.44 seconds, well ahead of fellow Barbadians Brieanna Boyce in 14.06 and Alika Harewood in 14.31, while Rasheem Brown captured the men’s 110-metre hurdles in 13.50 seconds.

However, Davonte Howell of the Cayman Islands and Trinidad and Tobago’s Michelle-Lee Ahye won the marquee 100-metre events.

Howell, a two-time Carifta gold medallist, sped to victory in the men’s race in 10.15 seconds, with Jaleel Croal of the British Virgin Islands second in 10.28 seconds, and Justin Maynard of Barbados, who clocked 10.32, finishing third.

Ahye won the women’s equivalent in 11.41, relegating the Barbadian duo of Danae Niles (11.51) and Kishawna Niles (11.56) to second and third, respectively.