Berlin: World champions Yohan Blake and Kirani James led four young Caribbean athletes with notable victories at the International Stadium Festival meet here Sunday to enhance their growing reputations.
Jamaican Blake and Grenadian James comfortably won their pet events to continue their impressive form, along with the Trinidad and Tobago pair of Kelly-Ann Baptiste and Jehue Gordon at the IAAF World Challenge meet at the Olympic Stadium.
Blake ran a personal best of 9.82 seconds for the second time in three days. He also shattered the previous stadium record of 9.86 secs held jointly by compatriot Asafa Powell (2006) and American sprint legend Maurice Greene (2000).
"There were some very good guys in this field, so it was not easy to win," said Blake. "It is a wonderful feeling to get the win.
High note
Former World champion Kim Collins of St. Kitts and Nevis ran a season's best time of 10.01 to finish runner-up ahead of T&T's Richard Thompson (10.08).
James ended his season on a high note, taking the 400 in 45.33. It was his fourth straight victory since the first week in August, when he made his maiden professional appearance. "I was a little bit tired because of the travelling this week," said Blake. "My goal was just to run, and to put on a great show for the fans.
Nery Brenes of Costa Rica finished second in 45.62, and Rondell Bartholomew, another quarter-miler from Grenada, grabbed third in 45.82. In the women's 100, there was a sweep of the top positions by Caribbean athletes with Baptiste taking command at the mid-point, and running away from the field for a time of 11.15, followed by a string of Jamaicans.
Sherone Simpson was second (11.24), Kerron Stewart third (11.28), and Aleen Baileycame in fourth at 11.37.
