Ronaldo leads star-studded Real Madrid in Club World Cup semi-final

RABAT, Morocco (AFP) — World player of the year Cristiano Ronaldo enters the Club World Cup stage today as he heads the all-star cast from Real Madrid in their semi-final against Mexican side Cruz Azul in Marrakesh.

The 10-time European Champions go into the game in superb form on a run of 20 consecutive victories and with their talisman Cristiano Ronaldo having scored 25 goals in 15 league games this season.

“We’ve had an unforgettable year, winning a lot of titles, especially La Decima (10th Champions League title), and are in a good position in the league. We now go to the Club World Cup with the intentions of winning it,” said their coach Carlo Ancelotti after the 4-1 win at Almeria at the weekend.

Ronaldo though won’t be just a one man team.

Goalkeeper Iker Casillas looks to have returned to form after a worrying slump, French international Karim Benzema is in devastating form up front and Welshman Gareth Bale is also flourishing.

However, Colombian star James Rodriguez and German World Cup winning midfielder Sami Khedira will miss the semi-finals, but Ancelotti says both should be back for the final if Real qualify.

Cruz Azul will want to make the most of their good fortune in the quarter-final against Australia’s Asian champions Western Sydney Wanderers.

They trailed until the last minute of regular time against 10-man Wanderers before levelling and then went on to win 3-1, which also saw their opponents have another player sent-off, in extra-time.

“It’s a huge match for us and they (Madrid) go out favourites,” said Cruz coach Luis Fernando Tena.

“But football is a funny game and anything can happen,” added the coach, who guided Mexico to Olympic gold in 2012.

Real Madrid, though, can count on Mexican striker Javier Hernandez for some inside knowledge on Real’s rivals.

“He’ll (Hernandez) get a game and we are lucky to have him here, he’s performing really well in training every day,” said Ancelotti.

Real Madrid have a massive fan base in the country, which lies just across the Mediterranean but the torrential rain that ruined the quarter-finals in Rabat has seen the semi-finals switched to Marrakesh, 350km to the south, despite the 45,000 fans who had bought tickets.

Ancelotti is seeking his second World Club Cup as a coach having won it with AC Milan in 2007 after winning the Champions League.

View the original article here

Ronaldo leads star-studded Real Madrid in Club World Cup semi-final

100-year-old leads exercise classes, checks in on Facebook

Sunday, January 11, 2015 | 2:01 AM    

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — A 100-year-old exercise instructor says the secret to longevity is an attitude of gratitude.

St. Paul resident Lauretta Taggert celebrated her triple-digit birthday this week.

Taggert says she doesn’t let her age slow her down — she’s been an exercise instructor for the past 15 years.

She also knows you’re never too old to keep up with technology. KARE-TV (http://kare11.tv/1BQbV4K ) reports Taggert orders new books on Amazon and connects with family and friends on Facebook.

Jana Kyser, the property manager at the senior apartment complex where Taggert lives, says there’s one more piece of wisdom she’s learned from Taggert: “Honey, don’t ever let your hair go gray.”

Like our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/jamaicaobserver

Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/JamaicaObserver

View the original article here

100-year-old leads exercise classes, checks in on Facebook

Lebron James leads fan vote for NBA All-Star slot

NEW YORK, USA (AFP) — Cleveland Cavaliers superstar LeBron James led updated fan voting totals announced yesterday that will eventually decide starters for next month’s 64th NBA All-Star Game.

Four-time NBA Most Valuable Player James, who has missed Cleveland’s past two games with a sore left knee, is averaging 25.2 points, 5.3 rebounds and 7.6 assists a game. He turned 30 on Tuesday.

James owns the top spot with 775,810 votes with Golden State’s Stephen Curry second at 755,486 in balloting for berths in the elite showdown set for New York on February 15.

Voting ends on January 19 and the results will be announced by the league three days later.

James is joined in the Eastern Conference forward line by Chicago’s Spanish big man Pau Gasol, who has 372,109 votes, and New York star Carmelo Anthony, who has 365,449 votes despite the Knicks’ awful 5-29 record.

Miami’s Chris Bosh is the nearest player chasing an East forward starting spot in fourth place at 283,899.

Washington Wizards standout John Wall leads Eastern Conference guards with 439,395 votes and Miami veteran Dwyane Wade holds the other backcourt spot on 396,757. Australian Kyrie Irving of Cleveland ranks third, 88,030 votes behind Wade.

Curry is joined in the Western Conference backcourt voting leaders by Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers with 694,665. Houston’s James Harden, the NBA scoring leader, ranks third on 516,514.

The West frontline vote leaders feature Anthony Davis of the New Orleans Pelicans with 732,154, Blake Griffin of the Los Angeles Clippers with 403,415 and Memphis big man Marc Gasol, Pau’s brother, with 343,587.

San Antonio’s Tim Duncan ranks fourth among West forward on 288,235 with 2013-14 NBA Most Valuable Player Kevin Durant, who has missed all but 10 games for Oklahoma City this season, was fifth with 254,448.

View the original article here

Lebron James leads fan vote for NBA All-Star slot

Powell misses out again as Thomas leads Hurricanes in Super50

BASSETERRE, St Kitts (CMC) — Rising West Indies star Kieran Powell is set to also miss out on the NAGICO Super50.

The 24-year-old left-hander was once again a glaring omission from the Leeward Hurricanes 14-man squad announced this week to contest the January 15-24 championship in Trinidad and Tobago.

Powell, who has played 21 Tests for West Indies and viewed widely as one for the future, has yet to also feature in the WICB Professional Cricket League. He was one of the 10 retained players for the Leeward Islands.

Attempts by CMC Sports to reach Leeward Islands Cricket Association (LICA) chief executive, Derrick Nicholas, on the matter, proved futile.

Powell led the Leewards in last season’s Super50 when the side failed to reach the final four, and was also at the helm for the four-day season.

He last played competitive cricket in the first Test against New Zealand last June.

Wicketkeeper Devon Thomas, meanwhile, has been retained as captain for the upcoming tournament in a side that includes seasoned campaigners like batsman Steve Liburd, fast bowler Gavin Tonge and leg-spinner Anthony Martin.

Eighteen-year-old all-rounder Jeremiah Louis, who made his first-class debut two months ago, has been included.

According to a release from LICA, the Leewards will play several warm-up games here in St Kitts before leaving for Trinidad on January 14.

SQUAD – Devon Thomas (captain), Shane Burton, Jason Campbell, Rahkeem Cornwall, Jahmar Hamilton, Montcin Hodge, Shane Jeffers, Steve Liburd, Jeremiah Louis, Anthony Martin, Orlando Peters, Austin Richards, Lyndell Richardson, Gavin Tonge.

View the original article here

Powell misses out again as Thomas leads Hurricanes in Super50

Fast-scoring Anderson leads New Zealand plunder of Windies

Sport

New Zealand level ODI series with plunder of WindiesThursday, January 02, 2014

QUEENSTOWN, New Zealand (CMC) — New Zealand outclassed West Indies by 159 runs to win a lopsided and rain-shortened third One Day International (ODI), powered by the fastest international century from Corey Anderson at the Queenstown Events Centre yesterday.Anderson reached his 100 in a One-Day match against West Indies in Queenstown from 36 balls, breaking the record of 37 set by Pakistan’s Shahid Afridi in 1996, as New Zealand reached 283 for four from 21 overs.In reply, West Indies, who chose to field after winning the toss, limped to 124 for five as New Zealand tied the series one game each with two matches remaining.Anderson finished with 131 from 47 balls with his ton, including 14 sixes and six fours.He was supported by Jesse Ryder, whose 104 was itself the sixth-fastest ton in ODIs, in only his second match since being an attack outside a nightclub last March left him in an induced coma.The pair, who put on 191 for the fourth wicket, came together at 84 for three in the seventh over.The pick of the West Indian bowling was Jason Holder with two for 48 from four overs.Sunil Narine and Ravi Rampaul bore the brunt of Anderson’s carnage conceding four sixes in an over each, with Rampaul’s three overs costing 64 runs.The Caribbean side surrendered their series lead and made no serious effort to embark on a winning run chase.They stumbled to 54 for four by the 11th over and never recovered from the top order collapse.Captain Dwayne Bravo was undefeated on 56, including three fours and three sixes, while Narsingh Deonarine scored 29.The only other batsmen contributing double digit scores were Chadwick Walton and Lendl Simmons with 17 each.QUEENSTOWN, New Zealand — New Zealand batsman Corey Anderson celebrates his century against the West Indies in the third One-Day International at the Queenstown Events Centre here, yesterday. (PHOTO: WICB)QUEENSTOWN, New Zealand — West Indies bowler Jason Holder celebrates a New Zealand wicket during the the third One-Day International at the Queenstown Events Centre here, yesterday.QUEENSTOWN, New Zealand — West Indies Captain Dwayne Bravo in action against New Zealand in the third One-Day International at the Queenstown Events Centre here, yesterday. (PHOTOS: WICB)

HOUSE RULES

1. We welcome reader comments on the top stories of the day. Some comments may be republished on the website or in the newspaper – email addresses will not be published.

2. Please understand that comments are moderated and it is not always possible to publish all that have been submitted. We will, however, try to publish comments that are representative of all received.

3. We ask that comments are civil and free of libellous or hateful material. Also please stick to the topic under discussion.

4. Please do not write in block capitals since this makes your comment hard to read.

5. Please don’t use the comments to advertise. However, our advertising department can be more than accommodating if emailed:mailto:advertising@jamaicaobserver.com.

6. If readers wish to report offensive comments, suggest a correction or share a story then please email: community@jamaicaobserver.com.

7. Lastly, read our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy

comments powered by

View the original article here

Fast-scoring Anderson leads New Zealand plunder of Windies

Bailey-Cole leads Jamaicans in Zagreb today

MONTEGO BAY, St James — Fresh from retaining his 100-m title at the ISTAF IAAF World Challenge meeting in Berlin on Sunday, Jamaica’s World Championships finalist Kemar Bailey-Coley will line up against another quality field in the men’s 100m at the penultimate WC meeting in Zagreb, Croatia, today.

Six Jamaicans, including horizontal jumpers Dammar Forbes and Kimberly Williams, will take part in the meet that will see several World Championship medallists taking part.One more IAAF World Challenge meeting will be held this season following today’s meet, in Rietti, Italy, on Sunday.Today, Bailey-Cole, the 21 year-old Jamaican who was fourth in the World Championships in Moscow, Russia, last month, will join compatriot Jacques Harvey in the event that will also see World Championships double silver medallist American Justin Gatlin, Mike Rodgers and St Kitts and Nevis’s evergreen Kim Collins.The 37-year-old Collins was second to Bailey-Cole on Sunday.The veteran Aileen Bailey will line up in the women’s 100m, where she will face Bulgaria’s Ivett Lalova and the American trio of Alexandria Anderson, Barbara Pierre and LaKeisha Lawson.World Championships 4×400-m relay silver medallist Edino Steel will run in the first of two men’s 400m races, while the big guns including World Champion LaShawn Merritt, Kerron Clement, Martin Rooney of Great Britain and Trinidad’s Renny Qouw will line up in the second race.Kimblerly Williams, who just missed a medal in Moscow, while achieving a personal best 14.62m in triple jump, will go into the meet with a chance of winning as her main rival will be Ukraine’s World Championships and Olympic bronze medallist Olha Saladuha.Damar Forbes, who was a finalist in the men’s long jump in Moscow, and fourth in Berlin, goes up against American triple jump specialist Christian Taylor and South Africa’s Godfrey Khotso Mokoena today.BAILEY-COLE… will face the American Justin Gatlin todayDamar Forbes of Jamaica in action at the recent IAAF World Championships in Moscow, Russia.

View the original article here

Bailey-Cole leads Jamaicans in Zagreb today

Gayle leads Jamaica Tallawahs to first CPL title

Sport

Sunday, August 25, 2013 | 12:52 AM

PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC) — Another exhibition of power hitting by captain Chris Gayle and the consistent Andre Russell guided the Jamaica Tallawahs to a commanding seven wicket win over the Guyana Amazon Warriors that gave them the first hold of the Limacol Caribbean Premier League Saturday night. The pair smashed an unbeaten 62 from 34 balls as the Tallawahs rattled up 129 for three in 17.3 overs in reply to the Warriors’ 128 for five off 20 overs. Gayle finished unbeaten on 47 off 48 balls with six boundaries, while the belligerent Russell stroked 33 off 18 balls including five fours and one six.Earlier Chadwick Walton hit a six and one boundary in nine balls before going leg before wicket to Tillakaratne Dilshan for 13 and Kumar Sangakkara lofted Christopher Barnwell for James Franklin to run in and take a catch low down when the Sri Lankan was on 13.The only other Tallawah wicket to fall was that of Jermaine Blackwood for three. He was deceived by a slower delivery from Lasith Malinga whom he offered a tame return catch.Sent in to bat, the Guyana Amazon Warriors were choked in the front end of their innings languishing on 46 for two after 10 overs. They lost William Perkins caught at mid off by Danza Hyatt from a David Bernard Jnrd elivery for 14 and the prize wicket of Dilshan who played on to a sharp in swinger from Bernard Jnr without scoring.Lendl Simmons who started uncharacteristically slow top-scored with 40 off 44 balls with three fours and two sixes before holding out to Kumar Sangakkara trying to launch Nikita Miller over long off.  Simmons featured in a 50 run partnership with Denesh Ramdin who contributed 29 from 34 balls including two fours and one six.The Amazon Warriors innings got a much needed boost as James Franklin and Christopher Barnwell realized 20 runs in the final over bowled by Chris Gayle. Franklin was undefeated on 17. He faced nine balls and struck two sixes in the final over. David Bernard Jnr., was the most successful bowler for the Tallawahs with two for 18 off four overs.Chris Gayle (Jamaica Tallawahs) was named man-of-the-match, Krishmar Santokie, (Guyana Amazon Warriors) man-of-the-series and Sheldon Cotterell (Antigua Hawksbills) — future star.RUSSELL… in the semis slammed 29 off six balls with four sixes, one four and a single

HOUSE RULES

1. We welcome reader comments on the top stories of the day. Some comments may be republished on the website or in the newspaper – email addresses will not be published.

2. Please understand that comments are moderated and it is not always possible to publish all that have been submitted. We will, however, try to publish comments that are representative of all received.

3. We ask that comments are civil and free of libellous or hateful material. Also please stick to the topic under discussion.

4. Please do not write in block capitals since this makes your comment hard to read.

5. Please don’t use the comments to advertise. However, our advertising department can be more than accommodating if emailed:mailto:advertising@jamaicaobserver.com.

6. If readers wish to report offensive comments, suggest a correction or share a story then please email: community@jamaicaobserver.com.

7. Lastly, read our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy

comments powered by

View the original article here

Gayle leads Jamaica Tallawahs to first CPL title

Westwood leads Woods going to final round of Open

GULLANE, Scotland (AP) — Lee Westwood is positioned to win the first major title of his career.

Boy, does that sound familiar.Long considered one of the best players without a signature win on his resume, the Englishman curled in a 60-foot eagle putt on the way to a 1-under 70 that put him two strokes ahead of Tiger Woods and Hunter Mahan in the British Open yesterday.The 40-year-old Westwood has been a perennial contender in majors, finishing second or third a staggering seven times.But he’s never been able to finish the job.He’ll try to do it today at baked-out Muirfield, playing in the final group with Mahan.Woods will be in the next-to-last pairing after shooting 72, a stumble at the end leaving him two shots behind Westwood’s 54-hole total of 3-under 210.They are the only three players under par for the championship.Adam Scott is again a contender for the claret jug, though this time he’ll have to come from behind. Last year, he seemed to have it wrapped up at Lytham until he bogeyed the final four holes, a stunning collapse that left him one stroke behind Ernie Els.Scott matched Westwood’s 70 and was at 213.Miguel Angel Jimenez, the popular 36-hole leader, faded from contention on a miserable day. The Mechanic bogeyed four of the first eight holes, unable to scramble for pars as he did the first two days when his drives and iron shots got away from him. He limited the damage with birdies at the ninth and 13th, but things can turn quickly at Muirfield.Jimenez bogeyed the 14th, took a double-bogey at the 16th when he needed two swings to escape a towering pot bunker alongside the green, and a lipped-out putt on 17 gave him another bogey. The 49-year-old staggered to the finish with a 77 and 216 total, his one-shot lead after Friday now a six-shot deficit going to today.Those closing holes were crucial.One shot ahead of Woods, Westwood faced the possible three-shot swing at the 16th when he yanked his tee shot into the tall grass, far left of the green, and Woods plopped his ball about 20 feet away from the flag on the right.Westwood whacked at his ball but couldn’t make it onto the green, watching it roll back to the edge of the second cut. Then he putted it up the hill, the ball stopping about 15 feet short of the cup. As Woods lined up a possible birdie, Westwood knew he could do no better than bogey — or worse.Woods’ putt stopped right alongside the hole, a tap-in par. Westwood calmly rolled his ball right in the centre of the cup, having surrendered only one stroke to his playing partner.As it turned out, the big swing came at the next hole. Westwood made another clutch putt on the par-5 17th, sinking a 12-footer for birdie. Woods made a sloppy bogey after a baffling mistake, shanking his second shot in a fairway bunker.They both made par at the final hole, denying Woods at least a share of the 54-hole lead in a major for the first time since the 2009 US PGA Championship.Woods has never won any of his 14 major titles when trailing after three rounds. He had never lost one from that position, either, until YE Yang pulled off a stunning upset at Hazeltine nearly four years ago.Woods still has a shot at moving closer to Jack Nicklaus’ record of 18 major titles.Westwood briefly put himself three shots clear of the field on the front side, the most memorable shot a long, curling putt off the front of the fifth green for eagle. Woods fought back into a tie as they made the turn, Westwood grabbed the lead again with a birdie at the 14th, before Woods pulled even at 16.

View the original article here

Westwood leads Woods going to final round of Open

Weir leads trio of Jamaican winners in Hungary

Sport

BY PAUL A REID Observer writer Thursday, July 11, 2013

MONTEGO BAY, St James — Olympic 200m bronze medallist Warren Weir led a trio of Jamaican winners at yesterday’s Istvan Gyulai Memorial meet in Budapest, Hungary.The national senior 200m champion won his pet event, while Rose Marie Whyte and Andrew Riley were also winners.Weir ran a meet record 20.01 seconds to beat training partner Jason Young, who continues to improve with a season’s best 20.07 seconds, while another Jamaican, Mario Forsythe, was sixth in 20.88 seconds.Weir’s run was adjudged the meet’s top performance and he took home the Bojidar Spiriev award.Whyte, a two-time Olympic finalist, won the 400m in 51.20 seconds to beat American Monica Hargrove, while another Jamaican, Shericka Williams, finished fourth in 52.28 seconds.Riley, who last week became the second fastest Jamaican ever over the 110m hurdles when he ran a personal best 13.14 seconds, won with 13.27 seconds, just beating world champion Jason Richardson (13.28 seconds) and another American, Kevin Craddock, who ran a personal best 13.42 seconds.Kemar Bailey Cole with 10.07 seconds and Jacques Harvey with 10.18 seconds finished second and third, respectively, in the men’s 100m behind Kim Collins in 9.99 seconds.The 37-year-old Collins ran a new St Kitts national record 9.97 seconds last week.Central American and Caribbean Games bronze medallist Aleen Bailey was seventh in the women’s 100m in 11.53 seconds, with American Carmelita Jeter winning for the first time in months after an injury layoff, running 11.07 seconds.Ristananna Tracey was second in the 400m hurdles in 54.94 seconds, while Shevon Stoddart was eighth in 56.74 seconds and Shermaine Williams placed fifth in the 100m hurdles in 13.27 seconds.

HOUSE RULES

1. We welcome reader comments on the top stories of the day. Some comments may be republished on the website or in the newspaper – email addresses will not be published.

2. Please understand that comments are moderated and it is not always possible to publish all that have been submitted. We will, however, try to publish comments that are representative of all received.

3. We ask that comments are civil and free of libellous or hateful material. Also please stick to the topic under discussion.

4. Please do not write in block capitals since this makes your comment hard to read.

5. Please don’t use the comments to advertise. However, our advertising department can be more than accommodating if emailed:mailto:advertising@jamaicaobserver.com.

6. If readers wish to report offensive comments, suggest a correction or share a story then please email: community@jamaicaobserver.com.

7. Lastly, read our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy

comments powered by

View the original article here

Weir leads trio of Jamaican winners in Hungary

Fraser-Pryce leads Caribbean charge in Birmingham Diamond League

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) – About a dozen Caribbean athletes led by double Olympic champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce of Jamaica are down to compete at the Diamond League meeting at the Alexander Stadium in Birmingham, United Kingdom on Sunday.

Fresh from her victory at the Jamaica National Championships last weekend with a world leading time of 22.13 seconds, Fraser-Pryce will renew rivalry with American Carmelita Jeter, her first race since an injury in Shanghai in May, and the consistent Blessing Okagbare of Nigeria.Sherone Simpson of Jamaica and the young Anthonique Strachan of the Bahamas will also provide a strong Caribbean challenge.Fraser-Pryce, the winner of the last two Olympic Games over 100m, insists that she thrives upon the rivalry with her American counterpart and is ready for her Birmingham return after being based in the city prior to her Olympic triumph.“Birmingham has been a very good city for us as Jamaicans as they were so welcoming and warm last year. So I’m excited to be back and having fun in the 200m against all the other girls lined up in the event,” she said.“For us as athletes, it’s about competing against the best and Carmelita is one of those. She’s thrown down lots of good times, and racing her is something that has been rewarding for me as well. We bring out the best in each other. I like competing against people that are aggressive and hungry like me.”The women’s 400m also promises some fireworks with Jamaican champion Novlene Williams-Mills and compatriot Stephanie McPherson will challenge Botswana’s Amantle Montsho, former World and Olympic champion Christine Ohuruogu of Great Britain and Regina George of Nigeria.The reigning men’s 400m hurdles champion Dai Greene will be tested at home and against a field which includes Olympic champion Felix Sanchez of the Dominican Republic, Olympic bronze medallist Puerto Rican Javier Culson, the world leader American Michael Tinsley and national champion of Trinidad and Tobago Jehue Gordon.In one of the non-Diamond races on Sunday’s programme, the men’s 110m hurdles also promises an exciting clash of in-form hurdlers including Olympic champion and world record-holder Aries Merritt of the United States, 2009 World Champion Ryan Brathwaite of Barbados, national record-holder of Trinidad and Tobago Mikel Thomas and Dwight Thomas of Jamaica.The men’s 100m puts Jamaicans Nesta Carter and Kimmari Roach, along with Kim Collins of St Kitts and Nevis and Keston Bledman of Trinidad and Tobago. Briton Mark Lewis-Francis and Japanese teenage sensation Yoshihide Kiryu provide a competitive line-up.Overall a total of 30 medallists, including 11 reigning Olympic champions, will star at the Sainbury’s Grand Prix.Like our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/jamaicaobserverFollow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/JamaicaObserver

HOUSE RULES

1. We welcome reader comments on the top stories of the day. Some comments may be republished on the website or in the newspaper – email addresses will not be published.

2. Please understand that comments are moderated and it is not always possible to publish all that have been submitted. We will, however, try to publish comments that are representative of all received.

3. We ask that comments are civil and free of libellous or hateful material. Also please stick to the topic under discussion.

4. Please do not write in block capitals since this makes your comment hard to read.

5. Please don’t use the comments to advertise. However, our advertising department can be more than accommodating if emailed:mailto:advertising@jamaicaobserver.com.

6. If readers wish to report offensive comments, suggest a correction or share a story then please email: community@jamaicaobserver.com.

7. Lastly, read our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy

comments powered by

View the original article here

Fraser-Pryce leads Caribbean charge in Birmingham Diamond League

Fraser-Pryce leads Caribbean charge in Birmingham Diamond League

News

Saturday, June 29, 2013 | 8:33 PM

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) – About a dozen Caribbean athletes led by double Olympic champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce of Jamaica are down to compete at the Diamond League meeting at the Alexander Stadium in Birmingham, United Kingdom on Sunday.Fresh from her victory at the Jamaica National Championships last weekend with a world leading time of 22.13 seconds, Fraser-Pryce will renew rivalry with American Carmelita Jeter, her first race since an injury in Shanghai in May, and the consistent Blessing Okagbare of Nigeria.Sherone Simpson of Jamaica and the young Anthonique Strachan of the Bahamas will also provide a strong Caribbean challenge.Fraser-Pryce, the winner of the last two Olympic Games over 100m, insists that she thrives upon the rivalry with her American counterpart and is ready for her Birmingham return after being based in the city prior to her Olympic triumph.“Birmingham has been a very good city for us as Jamaicans as they were so welcoming and warm last year. So I’m excited to be back and having fun in the 200m against all the other girls lined up in the event,” she said.“For us as athletes, it’s about competing against the best and Carmelita is one of those. She’s thrown down lots of good times, and racing her is something that has been rewarding for me as well. We bring out the best in each other. I like competing against people that are aggressive and hungry like me.”The women’s 400m also promises some fireworks with Jamaican champion Novlene Williams-Mills and compatriot Stephanie McPherson will challenge Botswana’s Amantle Montsho, former World and Olympic champion Christine Ohuruogu of Great Britain and Regina George of Nigeria.The reigning men’s 400m hurdles champion Dai Greene will be tested at home and against a field which includes Olympic champion Felix Sanchez of the Dominican Republic, Olympic bronze medallist Puerto Rican Javier Culson, the world leader American Michael Tinsley and national champion of Trinidad and Tobago Jehue Gordon.In one of the non-Diamond races on Sunday’s programme, the men’s 110m hurdles also promises an exciting clash of in-form hurdlers including Olympic champion and world record-holder Aries Merritt of the United States, 2009 World Champion Ryan Brathwaite of Barbados, national record-holder of Trinidad and Tobago Mikel Thomas and Dwight Thomas of Jamaica.The men’s 100m puts Jamaicans Nesta Carter and Kimmari Roach, along with Kim Collins of St Kitts and Nevis and Keston Bledman of Trinidad and Tobago. Briton Mark Lewis-Francis and Japanese teenage sensation Yoshihide Kiryu provide a competitive line-up.Overall a total of 30 medallists, including 11 reigning Olympic champions, will star at the Sainbury’s Grand Prix.

HOUSE RULES

1. We welcome reader comments on the top stories of the day. Some comments may be republished on the website or in the newspaper – email addresses will not be published.

2. Please understand that comments are moderated and it is not always possible to publish all that have been submitted. We will, however, try to publish comments that are representative of all received.

3. We ask that comments are civil and free of libellous or hateful material. Also please stick to the topic under discussion.

4. Please do not write in block capitals since this makes your comment hard to read.

5. Please don’t use the comments to advertise. However, our advertising department can be more than accommodating if emailed:mailto:advertising@jamaicaobserver.com.

6. If readers wish to report offensive comments, suggest a correction or share a story then please email: community@jamaicaobserver.com.

7. Lastly, read our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy

comments powered by

View the original article here

Fraser-Pryce leads Caribbean charge in Birmingham Diamond League