Omar "Mr Silk" McLeod wins sprint hurdles title in world leading 12.97 secs !

By Kayon Raynor

Rising sprint hurdles star Omar "Mr. Silk" McLeod sped to a scintillating world leading time of 12.97 secs (wind +1.9 m/s) to win the 110 metre high hurdles ahead of Olympic bronze medallist Hansle Parchment on day three of the four day Jamaica National trials.

McLeod's winning mark was also the joint 14th fastest time in history along with Ladji Doucoure of France.

The 2015 NCAA champion who exploded from the blocks led from the first hurdle and could not be caught by the charging Parchment, who took second in a season best 13.08. Commonwealth Games gold medallist Andrew Riley was third in 13.35secs. 

"At the NCAA it was not the perfect time, but I knew with the perfect wind I could run that 12 (seconds) and to God be the glory, he gave me right here before my home crown, so it's just a scintillating feeling," McLeod said.

"This is just an extra boost somewhat, I'm really happy, I'm elated and ready for  Beijing," added the man who is  only the second Jamaican to join the sub-13 second club.
McLeod will be heading to Europe for a few Diamond League meets after foregoing his last two years of college eligibility to  turn professional.

Olympic bronze medallist and reigning  world silver medallist Warren Weir remained on course for a spot
to Beijing in the 200m after placing third in semi-final two with 20.26 behind Julian Forte who registered a personal best of 20.04.

Nickel Ashmeade who placed third in Friday's 100m final, easily won the other semi-final in 20.23.

With world champion Shelly Ann Fraser-Pryce opting out of the women's equivalent, her training partner and rising sensation Elaine Thompson laid down the marker for things to come in Sunday's final with an easy 22.56ses.

Beijing Olympics 100m joint silver medallist Sherone Simpson, who ended fourth in the 100m on Friday won her semifinal in 22.62 ahead of two time World and Olympic champion Veronica Campbell-Brown with 22.75.

Jamaica will have two representatives in the women's 800m for the 1st time after Natoya Goule and Semoya Campbell both secured career best marks which fell way below the automatic qualifying standard for the half mile.

After logging 58 seconds at the halfway stage, Goule out sprinted Campbell in the home stretch to win in a 1 minute 59.63. Campbell crossed the line 29 hundredths of a second behind in 1 minute 59.92secs.

In the field, Frederick Dacres of UWI threw the discuss to win the men's event in 63.23 metres ahead of Jason Morgan 61.89 metres and Chad Wright was third in 61.42 metres.

Damar Forbes won the men's long jump at 7.98 metres ahead of Kamal Fuller 7.73 metres and Denroe Dixon 7.70 metres.

The Championships end on Sunday starting at 1600 hrs or 4pm Jamaica time.