Spencer in first place in the diamond race

Jamaica’s Kaliese Spencer climbed into first place in the diamond race for the 400 hurdles, by crossing the line first at Saturday’s stop in London in 53.78.

Spencer was claiming a third straight Diamond League victory after successes in Gateshead and Monaco.

Nickesha Wilson was seventh in 56.80 seconds.

World leader Jermaine Gonzales returned 44.80 seconds but his late challenge could not get the better of the American Jeremy Wariner’s 44.67.

Ricardo Chambers was third in 45.18 seconds.

Dwight Thomas 13.32 seconds took the silver in the 110 hurdles won in a meet record time of 13.06 seconds by the American David Oliver.

Shericka Williams 51.10 seconds and Novelene Williams-Mills 51.22 seconds were fifth and sixth respectively in the women’s 400 meters.

Allyson Felix 50.79 seconds added a one-lap win to her 200 victory from the day before.

Sherone Simpson and Aileen Bailey clocked 11.15 seconds and 11.23 seconds for fourth and seventh place respectively in the 100 meters.

World women’s leader Carmelita Jeter was upset by fellow American Marshevet Myers, finishing five hundredths behind Myer’s 11.01 performance.

Interestingly the formality of competing in either Zürich or Brussels remains, but 13 of the 32 Diamond League winners have already been decided.

There are seven men, Walter Dix, Jeremy Wariner, David Oliver, Bershawn Jackson IV, Renaud Lavillenie, Christian Cantwell, Andreas Thorkildsen and six women, Carmelita Jeter, Allyson Felix, Nancy Langat, Milcah Chemos, Blanka Vlasic and discus thrower Yarelis Barrios.

Players’ chief calls for uniform referral system

SYDNEY, Australia (AFP) — The chief of the Federation of International Cricketers’ Associations on Friday called for the Umpire Decision Review System (UDRS) to be applied throughout all Test series. The referral system is being used in a Test series in Britain for the first time during the current four-match campaign.

Gay condemns Bolt to first defeat in two years

STOCKHOLM, Sweden (AFP) — World record holder and Olympic champion Usain Bolt crashed to his first defeat in two years on Friday when America’s Tyson Gay won their eagerly-awaited 100m clash at the Diamond League meeting. Gay clocked 9.84sec to edge Bolt, who was second in 9.97sec.

Bolt, Gay shrug off Powell absence

STOCKHOLM, Sweden (AFP) — World record holder and Olympic champion Usain Bolt and American rival Tyson Gay clash for only the third time in the 100m on Friday, but Asafa Powell has been forced out through injury. Bolt has ruled out lowering his world record at the Diamond League meeting.

Fantastic at 50, Jamaican-born Ottey aims to run and run

BARCELONA, Spain (AFP) — Slovenia failed to reach the final of the women’s 4x100m relay at the European Championships, but 50-year-old Merlene Ottey intends to keep on running. The former Jamaican sprinter became the oldest athlete in the history of the competition.

Bolt-led Jamaica and US set for clash in Zurich

GENEVA, Switzerland (AFP) – Jamaican and US sprint teams are set to face off at next month’s athletics meet in Zurich, with the teams led by Usain Bolt and Tyson Gay lining up to challenge world records, organisers said on Thursday. Jamaicans and Americans are also set to clash in the individual races. read more…

Barbadians urged to support women’s boxing championships

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (BGIS) — Local boxing enthusiasts and sports fans are being encouraged to support the International Amateur Boxing Association’s (AIBA) Women’s Boxing Championships to ensure its success when it is staged here from September 6 to 19. Minister of Sports, Stephen Lashley, made the appeal.

Essex snap up West Indies all-rounder Bravo

LONDON, England (AFP) — West Indies all-rounder Dwayne Bravo has been signed by Essex for the English county’s Twenty20 finals day. Essex qualified for the last four with victory over Lancashire on Tuesday and have moved quickly to add an overseas player to their ranks ahead of the Rose Bowl.

Gay throws down gauntlet to Bolt and Powell

MONACO (AFP) — American Tyson Gay threw down the gauntlet to Jamaican sprinters Usain Bolt and Asafa Powell by powering his way to victory in the 200m at the IAAF Diamond League meet here on Thursday. As Bolt and Powell took a break, Gay provided the main focus with the American following his lead.