SINGAPORE, (CMC) – Fifteen-year-old Jamaican Odane Skeen crowned himself world junior sprint king yesterday when he dismissed his field to win the 100 metres at the inaugural Youth Olympics.
Running out of lane five, he produced a characteristic late surge in the final metres to cross the line in a new personal-best 10.42 seconds and claim gold at the Bishan Stadium.
Japan’s Masaki Nashimoto, who exploded from the blocks to a good start, finished second in a career-best 10.51 seconds while Great Britain’s David Bolarinwa, who entered the event as the fastest qualifier, had to settle for bronze with a similar time.
Nashimoto led for the first 50 metres before the Jamaican burst through to overhaul him and win handsomely.
Skeen, who turns 16 next Saturday, said afterwards he knew he had won before the contest was over.
“At 80 metres I knew I had the gold,” said the reigning CARIFTA sprint champion in the 100 and 200 metres.
Bolarinwa said his awful start proved his undoing.
“I didn’t get a good start and it affected my race. I’ve only been in this sport for two years and I’m still learning,” he lamented.
Antigua and Barbuda’s Tahir Walsh finished fourth in a season-best 10.71 seconds.
The Boys’ B final brought little consolation for the Caribbean as Guyana’s Chavez Ageday was the highest finisher in fourth with a time of 10.90 seconds.
Trinidadian Ayodele Taffe finished sixth in 10.98 while Julian Monroe of the Bahamas was last in 11.04.
In the Boys’ 110 metres hurdles, Jamaican Stefan Fennell had to settle for fourth in a personal-best 13.54 seconds as Australian Nicholas Hough won in another personal-best 13.37 seconds.
Fennell’s compatriot Megan Simmonds could do no better in the Girls’ equivalent as she was fourth in a personal-best 13.62 seconds, behind winner Ekaterina Bleskina of Russia who was timed at 13.34 seconds.
In the women’s 400 metres, Rashan Brown of the Bahamas was fourth in 53.63 seconds as Robin Reynolds of the United States won in 52.57 seconds.
Jamaican Olivia James came home sixth in a time of 54.14 seconds.