Shericka raring for Ostrava challenge

André Lowe, Senior Staff Reporter

Jamaica's Olympic and World Championships 400m silver medallist, Shericka Williams, will face 2007 World champion, Christine Ohuruogu, in the one-lap event at the 49th Ostrava Golden Spike meet on Thursday, May 27.

It will be the Jamaican's first time running in the Czech city and Williams, who will also square-off with Ohuruogu a few weeks prior at the Doha IAAF Diamond League meet, says she is excited about finally making her debut at the meet, which is part of the IAAF World Challenge series.

"I'm excited (about) Ostrava. It is one of the last big meets on the circuit that I have not been to yet. I am looking forward to running fast this season and Ostrava is one of the meets I am most excited about," said Williams.

In their 14 meetings to date, Ohuruogu has had the handle over Williams, finishing ahead of the Jamaican on eight occasions.

Improving the record

However, Williams will be looking to turn the tide and has set her sights on bettering the 49.67 meet record which was established in 1983 by Czech athlete Tatiana Kocembova.

The Ostrava meet will also feature fellow Jamaicans Usain Bolt and Asafa Powell, high jump star Blanka Vlasic, World indoor 800m champion Bernard Lagat and Joseph Ebuya.

Double sprint World Record holder, Bolt, will start in the rarely contested 300m, while former 100m World Record holder, Powell, will headline field for the shorter sprint.

Strong competition

Meanwhile, national 110m hurdles record holder, Dwight Thomas, will face a strong field at the Ponce Grand Prix in Puerto Rico this weekend.

The field includes the likes of Beijing Olympic silver medallist and World Championships bronze medallist, David Payne of the United States and Beijing Olympics bronze medallist, David Oliver, who has the fastest time (13.24) this year.

Jamaica's 2004 Olympic silver medallist, Danny McFarlane, and the man he lost that race to, the Dominican Republic's Felix Sanchez, will both contest the 400m hurdles, which also features Trinidadian Yehue Gordon and Javier Culson.

Vonnette Dixon will also be featured at the meet, where she will run the 100m hurdles event against Danielle Carruthers.

athletics: ostrava golden spike meet