Jubilant residents of Sherwood Content, Trelawny, celebrate Usain Bolt's victory in the 100m finals at the World Championships in Berlin, Germany, yesterday. - Photo by Tashieka Mair

WESTERN BUREAU:

Showers of blessings literally poured down on Sherwood Content, Trelawny, yesterday, as the community's hero, Usain Bolt, powered to record win in the 100m finals at the World Championships in Athletics in Berlin, Germany.

Bolt's mom and dad were at the Berlin Olympic Stadium, but proud and excited residents of the rural district converged at Sharon Lawrence's shop to witness the 9.58-second run by the Olympic champion and world record holder.

Dark clouds had already gathered, signalling that rain would soon fall. The heavens opened up immediately after Bolt crossed the finish line.

Bolt's win was déjà vu as it was a year to the day since they gathered in similar fashion to watch the wunderkind create history at the Beijing Summer Games in China. No one doubted that Bolt would win, as they declared him an unbeatable force in track and field.

One man, Keith 'Duppy' Reid, said: "Tell the world that Sherwood people dem say him (Bolt) cannot lose any race. We nah lose off o' him; with all the support him get here, him cyaah lose no more race."

Lawrence, shouting above the jubilant spectators in her shop, yelled: "Nobody cyaah beat Bolt! He is the greatest athlete alive! We cyaah wait fi him come back 'cause we going to be here to greet him!"

The residents said they were pleased that former record holder Asafa Powell, who had failed to medal in the Olympic 100m race, was able to repeat his bronze performance from the Osaka, Japan, championships in 2007.

tashieka.mair@gleanerjm.com