Sport

Raymond Graham, Gleaner Writer

THE expected showdown between joint world leaders, Jamaican Nesta Carter and American Tyson Gay, did not materialise in the men's 100 metres at yesterday's International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) World Challenge meet in Zagreb, Croatia.

Gay sprinted away to score an easy win in 9.92 seconds, while Jamaica's Carter, despite getting his usual fast start and leading up to 60 metres, ran well below his best form while clocking 10.07 to finish in the runner-up spot. Both sprinters had recorded the year's best over the distance, 9.78.

American Mike Rodgers placed third in 10.14, while Jamaica's other competitor in the event, Michael Frater, was fourth in 10.17.

Meanwhile, three Jamaicans - Kenia Sinclair, Kaliese Spencer and Dwight Thomas - recorded victories.

Good late-season form

Sinclair continued her good late-season form as for the second time this week, she went under one minute, 59 seconds in the 800 metres - racing to a season-best 1:58.59.

The United States' Morgan Uceny finished second in 1:59.49.

Spencer returned to winning ways in the women's 400 metres hurdles, following her misfortune in her last race in Rieti, Italy, when she fell over the final hurdle. This time around she made no mistake as the Diamond League overall winner recorded a 54.23.

Zuzana Hejnova of the Czech Republic, the Diamond League's overall runner-up, was second in 55.14.

Jamaica's Nickeisha Wilson placed third in 55.55 seconds.

Thomas, in the absence of world leader David Oliver of the United States, clocked 13.40 seconds for his win over the United States' Joel Brown (13.43).

Former World Championships triple jump gold medallist, Trecia Smith, and World and Olympic 400 metres silver medallist, Shericka Williams, placed fourth in their respective events, while Dorian Scott ended eighth in the men's shot put.

Smith leapt 13.86 metres in the women's triple jump, won by Slovakian Dana Veldakova with 14.24 metres.

Williams clocked 52.60, as American Natsha Hastings won in 51.35 seconds. Hastings' countrywoman Debbie Dunn was third in 52.60.

Scott heaved 19.10 metres in the shot put, which was won by the United States' Christian Cantwell (22.22m).

Lolo Jones of the United States took the women's 100 metres hurdles in 12.87, marginally getting the better of her arch-rival, Canada's Perdita Felicien (12.88).

Jamaica's Delloreen Ennis-London finished eighth in 13.56.