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Foster-Hylton stays on top

Published:Tuesday | July 3, 2012 | 12:00 AM
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Brigitte Foster-Hylton clears the hurdle on the way to winning the women's 100 metres hurdles final at the JAAA/Supreme Ventures National Senior Track and Field Athletics Championships at the National Stadium on Sunday night. - Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer
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André Lowe, Senior Staff Reporter

There are a few youngsters gunning for her spot, but Jamaica's premier female sprint hurdler, Brigitte Foster-Hylton, showed that they will have to wait a while longer as she stamped her class in the 110m hurdles Sunday night at the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association/ Supreme Ventures Limited National Senior Championships with an impressive 12.68s win.

Foster-Hylton, 37, has been Jamaica's top export in the sprint hurdles and came into the championships with a 12.51 season best, which was recorded at the JN Jamaica Invitational meet in May - the third fastest time this season.

The 2009 IAAF World Championships in Athletics gold medallist, who has been representing Jamaica for more than 12 years, will be heading back to the Olympic Games with the hope of securing her first podium spot at the event. Sunday's victory was another important milestone in a long and successful career.

"I have to give God thanks for longevity in the sport, and I think I am special being able to hang on so long," said Foster-Hylton, who finished ahead of 26-year-old Latoya Greaves, 12.77, and 22-year-old Shermaine Williams, who posted 12.78.

Foster-Hylton, who was feeling ill ahead of the race, says that she is looking forward to once again representing her country and believes that a podium spot is within reach.

"I am in good shape, a little ill today, but I'll be ready for the Olympics and ready to contend for a medal there," said Foster-Hylton. "I'm going there to do my best and to get on the podium is my objective.

"That race went by so fast. I don't even know if it's good or bad. I know I had a fumble in the middle, but today was just about winning and securing my spot to London," said Foster-Hylton.

What exactly is it that keeps her going?

"I am highly blessed and very determined," Foster-Hylton stated. "I am overwhelmed. Not many people have been able to hang around so long and I am still doing well, I am overjoyed."

Foster-Hylton has won gold, silver and bronze medals at the IAAF World Championships of Athletics, but is yet to claim her first Olympic medal after eighth- and sixth-place finishes at the 2000 and 2008 Olympic Games. At the 2004 Olympic Games, she suffered an injury after placing first in her heat and did not feature for the remainder of the games.