Kingston, Jamaica - Jamaican Kerron Stewart and Puerto Rico's Javier Culson with a world leading efforts, Americans Darvis Patton’s double and Olympic champion Dawn Harper’s sprint hurdles triumph, highlighted the performances at Saturday’s 5th Jamaica International Invitational on Saturday night (2) at the National Stadium.

The Jamaica International is one of a select group of Area meetings at which points can be acquired by athletes to qualify for the IAAF / VTB Bank World Athletics Final, to be held on 12-13 September in Thessaloniki, Greece. Stewart, who shared the Olympic silver with compatriot Sherone Simpson, was easy crossing the finish line in 10.92 seconds, the best in the world so far this season. “It’s a good time,” said Stewart, who continued: “It’s better than what I ran last year, so I think I am right where I need to be.” “I felt good out there,” she added. American Marshavet Hooker was second in 11.14 while Olympic champion Shelly-Ann Fraser was relegated to third in 11.15. Fraser, who disclosed she was suffering from medical issues, said: “I am not 100 per cent, but I did my best.” In the women’s 100m Hurdles, American Olympic champion Dawn Harper, came out on top in 12.78sec. Jamaican Vonette Dixon was second in 12.80 while American Candice Davis picked up third in 12.98. “It was a great opener,” said Harper, who added, “It was my best opener.” She added: “It’s a great building block, because I never opened like this before.” It took a Puerto Rican national record of 48.42, a world leading mark, from Culson to beat Jamaican Isa Phillips (48.79) in the men’s 400m Hurdles. Williams-Mills upsets Richards in 400m In the women’s 400m, Jamaica’s Novlene Williams-Mills upset American Sanya Richards, winning in 50.99 to the latter’s 51.12, an early-season world leader for the Jamaican. Richards, who said, “I was sick for about two or three weeks,” has taken the defeat graciously. “I knew coming here was going to be a tough race, but I wanted to get a race under my belt, and I am happy I ran,” she said. “She (Williams-Mills) just barely beat me and I am sick, so I am encouraged,” added Richards, who said she is suffering from a chest ailment. As for Williams-Mills, “It’s a win, so I will take it and just work from there.” View complete article at http://www.iaaf.org