Jamaica targets top honors in 100m championship finals day

3 years ago

Share Story

Jamaica’s quest to reclaim male sprinting supremacy at the World Athletics Championships will continue on Saturday in Eugene when the country’s top prospects line up for the second round with eyes on tonight’s finals.

Former World Champion Yohan Blake, training partner Akeem Blake and former National Champion Oblique Seville all bagged automatic qualifications to the semi-finals after yesterday’s heats.

Today is a championship finals day, the semi-final round is expected to provide a clearer picture of the medal contenders in tonight’s finals.

 Despite the Americans looking very strong this year, team Jamaica has shown that it has begun it’s rebirth of world beating performances and looks set to offer a stern challenge to all a commers.

2011 World Champions Yohan Blake who ran his fastest in over 10 years to win the national trials looked easy in qualifying with 10.04 seconds conserving energy to for the next round is expected to reach another final.

The double Olympic Silver medalist will be seeking to add a second global title to his collection as he aims to turn back the clock and the Americans in tonight’s showdown.

 Young Ackeem Blake, who is having a break out year in Athletics will also be looking to build on a fine season by qualifying for his first senior championship finals when he lines up later.

Blake who broken his PB twice this year dipping below 10 seconds seems to be getting comfortable in his current form and looks to be ready to challenge the world for.

He showed glimpses of his quality when he pushed former reigning world Champions Christian Coleman all the way to the line in June, only narrowly missing the win, however setting a PB of 9.95 seconds in the process. He also looked comfortable in qualifying from his heat in a conservative 10.15 seconds.  

Speaking about comfortable, Oblique Seville the second fastest Jamaica this season was a picture of relaxed running as he cantered to the win in 9.88 seconds looking unbothered taking the victory over Olympic champion Lamont Marcell Jacobs of Italy.

The Jamaican are expected to face at least one American in the semi-final round on a Eugene track so faster time are expected in the precursor to grand finale.

Yohan Blake is set line up against Travon Bromell in the first semi, Ackeem Blake will be in the massive semi with title favorite Fred Kerley in the second Semi with Oblique Seville renewing rivalry Olympic champion Lamont Marcell Jacobs, and USA’s Marvin Bracy.

Only time will tell if experience or form will triumph in the Athletics’ blue ribboned event as anxiety crescendos to what is likely to be an entertaining showdown in both rounds.

The semi-final round is expected to run at 8:00pm with the final later at 9:50 pm.