Aaron Armstrong won the bronze medal in the men's 100m finals at the Jawaharal Nehru Stadium on Day Four of the 19th Commonwealth Games in Delhi, India, yesterday. Armstrong powered to the line in 10.24 seconds, just ahead of his teammate Emmanuel Callendar, who finished fourth. The race was won by Jamaica's Lerone Clarke, who clocked 10.12 seconds to take the Commonwealth title ahead of England's Mark Lewis Francis who ran 10.20 seconds. Armstrong got off to quick start in lane five and looked set to produce his late surge when he locked arms with Sam Effah of Canada on his left which threw the T&T sprinter off his rhythm. However, 2008 Beijing Olympic 4x100m relay silver medallist regrouped and finished strongly to catch the slow starting Callendar on the line. Armstong's medal is the second for T&T at the Games after Roger Daniel and Rodney Allen copped bronze in the men's pair 50m pistol event on Monday.
Armstrong, the 2005 CAC silver medallist equalled the performance of Marc Burns four years ago in Melbourne Australia when he also won bronze in 10.17 seconds. The medal is the seventh for Trinidad and Tobago in the event and 39th overall. Speaking after his performance, the 32 year-old paid tribute to Hasely Crawford, the 1976 Olympic 100m champion. He said he had been plagued with injuries over the last couple of years which prevented him from fulfilling his potential. "Once I stay injury-free I will be able to express my talent as I should." Armstrong said the collision with Effah cost him a chance to go below ten seconds. "It threw me off. It made a big difference between gold and silver. You can take the engine down and bring it back up. I tried to go again." The son of former national sprinter Ainsley Armstrong added that he and Callendar were going for a one-two finish.
Armstrong said his focus is still on the 200m but he will not be competing in the half lap sprint in Delhi. The American born-sprinter added that his attention is now on the 4x100m relay which he is hoping to enjoy. Armstong and Callendar advanced to the finals with the fastest time in the semifinals which were run off 90 minutes earlier. Armstong topped heat one with a season's best time of 10.14 seconds just edging out Clarke in a photo finish. The Jamaican was also credited with the same time. Aaron Rouge Serrette of Australia (10.29) also advanced the finals. Armstrong finished strong to pass Clarke and Rouge Serrette. Callendar took the second heat, also in 10.14 seconds with Sam Effah of Canada in second in 10.16. T&T's third entrant in the race, Marcus Duncan, bowed out at the quarterfinal round finishing fifth in heat one in 10.59 seconds. Clarke's winning time was well off Boldon's championships record of 9.88 seconds set Kaula Lumpur, Malaysia 12 years ago.
The 29-year-old ensured the title remained in Jamaica after former world record holder Asafa Powell took the title in Melbourne, Australia in 2006 in 10.03 seconds. The winning time was the slowest in 34 years.
In the women's 100m, Ayana Hutchinson exited at the semifinal stage.
Hutchinson, the 2010 CAC Games silver medallist was fourth in heat one in 11.55 seconds. In the heats on Wednesday night the 2009 World Championships 100m semifinalist and sprint relay finalist qualified for the semis by finishing third in heat two in 11.71 seconds. Oseyemi Oludamola of Nigeria won the event amidst much controversy. Oludamola originally crossed the line in second, behind Australian Sally Pearson but was promoted after Pearson and Laura Turner of England were post charged with a false start. Pearson and Turner were both shown the red card but after much debate with officials, were allowed to run with Pearson crossing the line first. Natasha Myers of St Vincent and Grenadines (11.37) was elevated to silver while Turner's team-mate Katherine Endacott grabbed the bronze in a personal best of 11.44 seconds. Lolonde Gordon advanced to the semifinals of the men's 400m. Gordon finished third in heat five in 47.07 seconds behind Oral Thompson of Jamaica (46.60) and Botswana's Obakeng Ngwingwa (46.79). The 21-year-old will start run in the third semifinal set for 6.14 pm (India)/8.44 am (T&T).
SELECTED RESULTS
MEN'S 100M FINALS
Pos Name Country Time Reaction
1 Lerone Clarake JAM 10.12 0.165
2 Mark Lewis-Francis ENG 10.20 0.148
3 Aaron Armstrong TRI 10.24 0.158
4 Emmanuel Callendar TRI 10.25 0.196
5 Aaron Rourge-Serret AUS 10.30 0.180
6 Peter Emelezie NGR 10.31 0.182
7 Sam Effah CAN 10.37 0.171
DNS Oshane Bailey JAM
MEN'S 400M ROUND ONE – Heat 5
1 Oral Thompson JAM 46.60 Q
2 Obakeng Ngwingwa BOT 46.79 Q
3 Lalonde Gordon TRI 47.07 Q
4 Nelson Stone PNG 47.22 q
