OSLO – Saint Lucia’s Olympic track queen Julien Alfred eased to victory in her opening 100 metres of the season at the sixth leg of the Wanda Diamond League here at the Bislett Games in Norway on Thursday.
The 24-year-old crossed the finish line in 10.89 seconds, comfortably ahead of Ivory Coast’s Marie-Josée Ta Lou Smith in 11.00 seconds, while Dina Asher-Smith of Great Britain was third in 11.08.
After a slow start, Alfred powered past the field in the middle phase of the race to record an easy victory and a winning start to her Diamond League title defence.
Cuba’s Reynier Mena was also in winners’ row, copping gold in the men’s 200 metres in a time of 20.20 seconds.
Timothe Mumenthaler of Switzerland was second in 20.27 seconds, while bronze went to Canada’s Andre de Grasse in 20.33 seconds.
Meanwhile, Jamaica’s Shanieka Ricketts produced a solid showing to claim silver in the women’s triple jump.
Ricketts leapt 14.57 metres, just behind eventual winner Leyanis Perez Hernandez of Cuba (14.72 metres).
Jasmine Moore of the USA finished third with an effort measured at 14.41 metres.
Olympic gold medalist, Thea LaFond of Dominica was fifth with her jump of 14.26 metres and Ackelia Smith of Jamaica was sixth with a leap measured at the same distance.
However, it was a forgettable day for Barbados’ World Championship bronze medalist Sada Williams, who finished at the back of the pack in the women’s 400 metres in a time of 50.94 seconds.
The event was won by Isabella Whittaker of the USA in 49.58 seconds, with Henriette Jaeger of Norway (49.62) and Amber Anning of Great Britain (50.24), placing second and third respectively.
CMC
