Winston George (extreme right) about to cross the finish line in one of his races (Photos: Treiston Joseph)
George breaks 400m national record at Aliann Pompey Invitational
- Collins upstaged by Cadogon
By Treiston Joseph
Winston George is getting better with each race and showcased yet another exquisite performance at the Aliann Pompey Invitational on Saturday with a record-breaking run at the National Track and Field Centre, Leonora.
While all eyes were on sprint legend Kim Collins, George took the stadium by storm, clocking 45.16s to win the 400m event, eclipsing the old record he set in 2015 of 45.25s. Overseas-based Guyanese, Stephan James, finished second in 46.73s, while Jonia McDonald of Jamaica was third in 47.02s.
George also won the Men’s 200m with a time of 20.41s to top Trinidad’s Emmanuel Callendar, who ran 20.77s. Nicholas Deshong of Barbados was third in 21.23s.
Meanwhile, the race of the day saw the world renowned sprint veteran Kim Collins being upstaged by Levi Cadogon of Barbados, who clocked a meet record of 10.24s to win the event.
Collins, who had a bad start by his standards, came through for the photo finish second in 10.28s, while Tahir Walsh of Antigua finished third with a time of 10.29s. Trinidad’s 100m champion, Callendar also ran 10.29s, but was fourth in the race.
Guyana’s 100 and 200m national record-holder, Brenessa Thompson, had a tough outing, clocking 11.87s for eighth space in the Women’s 100m that was won by Trinidad’s Semoy Hackett in 11.16s. Tawanna Meadows of the United States was second in 11.33s, while Reyare Thomas of Trinidad took third in 11.34s.
400m defending champ at the meet, Kadecia Baird, also had a tough outing when she stepped down in the Women’s 200m, clocking 23.72s for eighth space. Hackett completed a double with a win in the 200m as well by clocking 22.79s, while her compatriot Thomas took second in 23.45s. Jade Bailey of Barbados took third in 23.49s.
In 800m action, Devaun ‘Scooby’ Barrington lost his 800m title to Malique Smith of the US Virgin Islands. Smith clocked an impressive 1:51.90s. Anfernee Headecker, who held with Smith for 750 metres, had a mind-boggling fade, falling all the way to sixth with a time of 1:57.97s.
However, Guyana’s Samuel Lynch finished second with a brilliant run from behind to clock 1:53.25s, while Quincy Morain, also of Guyana, took third in 1:54.79s. Barrington ended fourth in 1:57.31s.
Joanna Archer won the Women’s 800m in a time of 2:17.03s, while Katrina Seymour of the Bahamas clocked a slow time of 2:30.38s for second and Mikaela Smith of the US Virgin Islands was third in 2:37.24s.
Leslain Baird of Guyana was in form with a throw of 70.41m to win the event, while Miguel Van Asseen of Suriname won the Men’s Triple Jump with a leap of 16.55 metres.
