Jamaica Gleaner
Published: Monday | June 29, 2009
Home : Sport
Bolt, Veronica close in style
Anthony Foster, Gleaner Writer


From left: Usain Bolt cruises to victory ahead of Steve Mullings and Ramone Mckenzie in the men's 200m final at the National Stadium last night. Ian Allen/Staff Photographer

Usain Bolt completed the men's sprint double while Veronica Campbell-Brown secured the women's 200m crown at the Jamaica National Champion-ships at the National Stadium last night.

Bolt, who earlier settled for second place to Yohan Blake in semi-final one, secured an easy victory out of lane seven in 20.25.

The sprinter, who admitted to being a bit tired was satisfied with the result.

"It was a good time ... I felt good, it was ok, I ran the corner very well, I think," Bolt said.

Shut down

"I ran the corner very hard, because there were a lot of fast guys in the race, but when I came off the corner I looked back and just shut it down."

Steve Mullings made up for his 100m disappointment by ending up an easy second-place finisher behind Bolt in 20.40. Marvin Anderson, a finalist at the Osaka World Championships in 2007, finished third in 20.63.

In the women's event, Campbell-Brown, Jamaica's sprint queen, took victory in a season-best 22.40.

Campbell-Brown said she was happy to be out competing again.

"I am confident that I will get in shape before Berlin," said Campbell-Brown, who had a five week layoff due to a toe injury.

Impressive time

Shelly-Ann Fraser, who won the 100m on Saturday night, returned to take second, running an impressive time of 22.58 out of lane two. Simone Facey, a former Jamaica junior star, was third in 22.96, while Anneisha McLaughlin recorded her first sub-23-second run since 2002 with 22.99.

In the one-lap events, Novlene Williams-Mills and Ricardo Chambers regained their titles. Williams-Mills crossed the finish line in 50.21 ahead of MVP's pair of Shericka Williams (50.39) and Christine Day (41.54).

On the men's side, Chambers won the final straight battle with Allodin Fothergill, 45.55 to 45.57. Lansford Spence was third in 45.78.

In the women's 100m hurdles, Delloreen Ennis-London, winner of the bronze medal in Osaka, took victory in 12.79, equalling her season best.

Brigitte Foster-Hylton was second in 12.87 while Lacena Golding-Clarke was third in 12.89.

In the men's 110m hurdles, Maurice Wignall retuned to the winner's podium with a 13.48 victory. Dwight Thomas, who was neck and neck with Wignall, finished second in 13.50 while Olympic finalist Richard Phillips was third in 13.61.

Kenia Sinclair ran 2:01.63 to take the women's 800m while Aldwyn Sappleton (1:48.20) edged out Ricardo Cunningham (1:48.21).

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