MOSCOW, France, Aug 11, 2013 (AFP) — Jamaica’s two-time Olympic women’s 100 metres champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce has the same goal as her legendary male compatriot Usain Bolt, which is to regain her world title in Moscow.
Fraser-Pryce, 26, lost her world title to American Carmelita Jeter in 2011 but looked in good shape as she reached tomorrow’s semi-finals while Jeter eased up in finishing second in hers.However, Jeter’s compatriot English Gardner suggested she could upset the Jamaican’s plans with an impressive performance in her heat.While the women’s 100m looks to be a Jamaica v USA clash, the men’s 110m hurdles heats suggested that the three medals could all go to the Americans.David Oliver, who has often flattered to deceive with just an Olympic bronze in 2008 and world indoor 60m hurdles bronze to show for all his talent, laid down the gauntlet to his younger compatriots timing 13.05sec, the joint second fastest time this season.The 31-year-old – who also has the fastest time this year – said he was feeling confident of finally ending his title drought.“Definitely happy with my performance,” he said.“I think my chances of winning the title here are pretty good.”Defending champion Jason Richardson got off to a smooth start with an easy as you go victory in his heat.The 27-year-old — who is aiming to strike back at compatriot Aries Merritt, who took Olympic gold at his expense last year and then drummed home his superiority with the world record in Brussels — had 2009 world champion Ryan Brathwaite of Barbados back in third.Richardson was in relaxed form coming off the track singing.“Hey I’m going back to my room to listen to some music and chill out,” he said.“I had a pretty easy time. My run was good and I hope I will defend my title successfully.”Merritt, who has had a tough season missing several weeks with a torn hamstring and then being disqualified at the London Diamond League meet, was not pushed at all to win his heat in 13.32sec.However, he admitted the Merritt appearing in Moscow was far from the all-conquering one of last year, but implied Oliver had overdone it in the first round.“This is anyone’s race,” said the 28-year-old.“I am relaxed and confident and I didn’t think today was the moment to push oneself hard. It was about getting into your stride and also saving energy for Monday.”The men’s 400m also got underway with both the leading contenders, Olympic and defending world champion Kirani James of Grenada and 2008 Olympic gold medalist Lashawn Merritt of the United States progressing.James, who has had a Boulevard named in his honour in Grenada after his Olympic victory, said win or lose he was happy.“I am really proud to represent my country at the championships and as far as I can make my people happy, everything else is secondary,” said the 20-year-old.New Zealand’s shot put great Valerie Adams looks odds-on to add a fourth successive world title after the 28-year-old two-time Olympic champion qualified for the final with the best mark of 19.89 metres.Like our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/jamaicaobserverFollow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/JamaicaObserverJamaica’s Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, right, competes in a women’s 100-meter heat at the World Athletics Championships in the Luzhniki stadium in Moscow, Russia, Sunday, Aug. 11, 2013. (PHOTO AP)View the original article here
Shelly has same goal as Usain
