Anthony Foster, Freelance Writer
Asafa Powell ... the main attraction at the National Championships which begin today. - REUTERS
DESPITE NO major championships on the world track and field calendar this year, the three-day National Senior and Junior Track & Field Championships will run off this afternoon at the National Stadium with a plethora of stars.
Joint 100-metre world record holder Asafa Powell, Michael Frater, Aleen Bailey, Brigitte Foster-Hylton and Danny McFarlane are among the top flight athletes down to compete.
It is expected that Powell will face the starter in the men's 200m. He is likely to face Chris Williams, Yhann Plummer and Ainsley Waugh.
Powell said he will just be running to win his first 200m title.
"I am going there to try and win as comfortably as possible," said the man who ran 9.77 on June 11 to equal the world record he shared with American Justin Gatlin.
"I just don't want to go out there and pressure my groin or my legs on the curve," added Powell, who pulled up the last time he ran a 200m.
Powell's exclusion from the 100m gives Frater, the World Championships 100m silver medallist, a chance for his first national title.
Frater is aiming at a sub-10 time, which would be his first.
"Seeing that we don't have anything running for, like World Championships or Olympics, I am just going out there to see if I can properly execute a race and just run as fast as I can," Frater said.
"This year it's all about running fast times and that is what I am going out there for, to run a sub-10 hopefully," he said.
Simpson should take advantage of Veronica Campbell's absence to secure the sprint double.
"I am just going out there to win both (races), with special focus on the 100m," Simpson said.
The women's 100m hurdles should provide its usual excitement. Foster-Hylton, Lacena Golding-Clarke and Vonette Dixon should once again battle in this event.
EXPECTING A GOOD PERFORMANCE
Foster-Hylton said: "I am expecting a good performance. I can't say how fast, but it is always good to run in Kingston.
"I have been taught by my coach, Stephen Francis, never to worry about my opponents because at the end of the day it is about what I do in my lane over my 10 hurdles and that is what I am focusing on," she said.
"I am focusing on me, executing, hurdling well and running a good race," she said.
The men's and women's 400m should also be hot. Davian Clarke, Jermaine Gonzales and Sanjay Ayre should provide the spark in the men's event, while Shericka Williams, Lorraine Fenton, Novlene Williams, Clora Williams and teenager Sonita Sutherland should be among the top four in the women's event.
McFarlane and Kemel Thompson should battle it out in the men's 400m hurdles while Melaine Walker, Kaleise Spencer and Sherene Pinnock should do likewise in the women's equivalent.
Kenia Sinclair should win the women's 800m easily.
