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Stabroek News

Will Simpson, Foster-Hylton make it to Osaka?
published: Thursday | June 28, 2007

THE NATIONAL Senior and Junior Athletics Championships is over and the focus now switches to the World Championships in Osaka, Japan.

But, before we head to Osaka, let's look back briefly on last weekend, which had mixed fortunes for three of our top athletes.

First, I did not get to see Sherone Simpson face Veronica Campbell in the sprints, nor did I get to see Foster-Hylton defend her title against Delloreen Ennis-London. Those are clashes I really missed. Also, I missed the fact that Asafa Powell was not able to run at full speed.

Simpson and Foster-Hylton are nursing injuries while Powell pulled up during his 10.04 seconds victory, but while the latter has already earned a place at the World Championships, the others will have to play the wait-and-see game.

The fact that Simpson and Foster-Hylton did not take part at the National Championships and based on the JAAA rules, which apply to athletes with top-three rankings in their respective events at the time of the Championships, they have one more hurdle to clear.

People are questioning who will number-one ranked sprinter Simpson replace? While it could be anybody, it looks likely it's the third-place finisher, Sheri-Ann Brooks, who finished third in both sprints.

World Championship

Number-three ranked sprint hurdler Foster-Hylton, who hurt herself just before the start of the women's 100m hurdles, could have things a little easier as third-place finisher Monique Morgan's personal best is 13.09 seconds, which means she has not yet qualified for the World Championships. She, however, has until August 13.

Now, before the JAAA makes its final selections, according to the association's rules "they (athletes) must prove their world ranking form prior to the final submission of the entries for the competition". If Foster-Hylton and Simpson achieve this goal, which should not be difficult once they return to the track, the JAAA management team to Japan would have to make a decision, and somehow, I believe they will ask Simpson which event she wants to run and, I hope, she chooses the 200m.

36-year-old record

This is not to say she is not good at the 100m, but that event is Brooks' best chance of a medal, therefore, it would only be fair that Simpson choose the 200m.

Of note, Brooks improved on her personal best of 11.19 to 11.05 last weekend.

Finally, I want to 'big up' coach Maurice Wilson whose charge, Anastasia Le-Roy, will be part of the World Championships team, the first, pending selection, for any Holmwood girl at this level.

I also want to 'big up' the rejuvenated Simone Facey for a personal best of 11.16, also Nesta Carter, who did 10.11 for third in the men's 100m, and most important Usain Bolt for breaking Don Quarrie's 36-year-old 200m record of 19.86, by running 19.75.

Feedback: anthony.foster@gleanerjm.com

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