SZÉKESFEHÉRVÁR, Hungary – St. Lucian sprinter Julien Alfred produced a memorable professional debut when she stunned in-form American Sha’Carri Richardson to win the women’s 100 meters at the Istvan Gyulai Memorial here Tuesday.
St Lucian Julien Alfred crosses the line to beat American Sha’Carri Richardson.The 22-year-old Alfred, a silver medalist at last year’s Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, clocked 10.89 seconds to cross the line first ahead of Richardson who was timed at 10.97.
Another American Tamari Davis finished third in 11.02 while Jamaican Natasha Morrison, the only other Caribbean runner in the event, finished seventh in 11.32.
Richardson, the newly crowned United States national sprint champion, entered the contest as the firm favorite, especially coming on the heels of last weekend’s win over reigning world champion, Jamaican Shericka Jackson, in a Diamond League meet in Poland.
However, Alfred stormed from the blocks in lane six to establish an early lead, and held her nerve late on despite a strong finish from Richardson in lane four.
Alfred’s victory comes on the heels of her capture of 100m gold at the Central American and Caribbean Games in El Salvador last month, and kept her unbeaten this season ahead of next month’s World Championships in Budapest.
Her effort also dealt Richardson her first defeat of the season, as she continued her preparation for the global showpiece in the Hungarian capital.
In the corresponding men’s event, Yohan Blake led Jamaica’s domination when he headlined a top three sweep for the Caribbean powerhouses in a time of 10.04 seconds.
Rising star Ackeem Blake finished second in 10.09 while Rohan Watson, his country’s newly crowned sprint champion, came home third in 10.10.
Jackson, meanwhile, hit back strongly following her defeat to Richardson by claiming victory in the 200 meters in 22.02 seconds.
She was followed onto the podium by 20-year-old Irishwoman Rhasidat Adeleke who was timed at 22.36, while Bahamas’ Anthonique Strachan stopped the clock at 22.45 to be third.
Jackson is the fastest woman in the world this year in the 100 meters with a searing 10.65 in Kingston last month.
Reigning Olympic 400m champion, Bahamian Steven Gardiner, sent a warning to rivals ahead of Budapest when he clocked a world-leading 43.74 seconds to win his event.
Jamaican Rusheen McDonald, the national record holder, produced a season-best 44.03 for second place while American Vernon Norwood finished third in 44.63.
Another Jamaican Hansle Parchment, the reigning Olympic sprint hurdles champion, was forced to settle for second in 13.14 as American Daniel Roberts took the win in 13.12.
Parchment’s countryman Tyler Mason, 27, finished third in 13.14.
In the men’s long jump, Jamaican Tajay Gayle leapt 8.24 metres to clinch second place behind Greece’s Miltiadis Tentoglou (8.29).
