A YEAR ago, the Stephen Francis-coached Kishane Thompson of MVP Track Club warmed the hearts of fans inside the National Stadium with a special performance at the National Senior Championships, stopping the clock at 9.77 seconds to win the men’s 100 metres. It was a memorable moment as he claimed his first national senior title.
Fast forward one year – Thompson, who went on to grab silver in the event at the Paris Olympic Games, losing to the United States’ Noah Lyles in an extremely close finish, is set for another spectacular performance this Friday inside the National Stadium.
The fastest Jamaican male so far this season, following his 9.88-second clocking to win easily at the Racers Grand Prix a few weeks ago – where he appeared to have more in the tank – is the overwhelming favourite to win and retain his title.
Thompson, who lost to South Africa’s Akani Simbine in his season opener, running 9.99 to clipped by the latter’s 9.98, looks poised for something special.
A sub-9.8s performance could be on the cards as he aims to light up the track once again.
One athlete expected to push Thompson to the limit is Oblique Seville of Racers Track Club. Very consistent at these Championships since 2022 –always among the top three – Seville will be hungry for a win.
EYEING FIRST PLACE
Second in 2022, third in 2023, and again second last year, Seville will be eyeing his first national senior title.
Having run several splendid 200-metre races in his build-up this season, Seville has looked razor-sharp. Despite an earlier injury, he showed in his last outing – where he finished second to Thompson at the Racers Grand Prix – that he is back to full fitness. An upset is not out of reach, and he certainly has the pedigree to do it.
Last year’s third-place finisher – and also third in 2022 – Ackeem Blake of Speed Dynamics Track Club will make his return after injury interrupted his preparations. He won’t be fazed by the top two here, and with his explosive start, he is dangerous.
After finishing fourth last year, Bryan Levell of Uptimum Performance Track Club will be seeking a top-three finish. The former Edwin Allen High star has been one of the most improved male sprinters on the island. He showed at the Racers Grand Prix that he is in exceptional form, clocking 19.79s in a positive wind of 2.5 metres per second to win the men’s 200 metres.
None of the top three can afford to take their foot off the gas, as Levell could pounce and deliver something very special.
Veteran Yohan Blake – the 2021 and 2022 champion and joint-second fastest man ever in the event with 9.69, tied with the United States’ Tyson Gay – will be hoping to turn back the clock and make his presence felt.
However, he is expected to find it tough here and may struggle to make the final, with younger opponents such as Rohan Watson (2023 champion), Jehlani Gordon, Jelani Walker, Sandrey Davidson, Kadrian Goldson, Deandre Daley, and schoolboy Gary Card all dangerous customers.
Fans should fasten their seatbelts, as something very special is expected to unfold in the final. The defending champion, Thompson – who had a breakout season on the international stage last year – will be hard to beat. Seville, Ackeem Blake, and Levell should have a fierce battle for the remaining two individual spots.
Raymond Graham