Powell headlines low-key Champs

André Lowe, Senior Staff Reporter

Some of the biggest names are missing, but all is set for this afternoon's start of the Jamaica Amateur Athletic Association (JAAA) National Championships inside the National Stadium.

Usain Bolt, Veronica Campbell-Brown, Yohan Blake, Kerron Stewart, Melaine Walker, Delloreen Ennis-London, Isa Phillips, Dwight Thomas and Danny McFarlane are just some of the athletes who will not be strutting their stuff this year, as places go up for grabs for three major meets.

The Central American and Caribbean Games (CAC) in Puerto Rico; North America, Central America and Caribbean (NACAC) Under-23 Championships in Miramar, Florida; and the Commonwealth Games in India, will all be contested later this year.

Thus, several top stars such as the fastest man this year, Asafa Powell, Nesta Carter, Sherone Simpson, Shelly-Ann Fraser, Shericka Williams and Anneisha McLaughlin, are all expected to face the starter.

Today's opening day will feature eight finals, including the women's long jump and discus, as well as the men's shot put and triple jump. The preliminary stage of the men's and women's 100m and 400m will also be contested.

Former CAC Games champion and Commonwealth Games silver medallist Dorian Scott will look to continue his return from knee surgery when he lines up in the shot put event along with schoolboy sensations Chad Wright and Oshane Harris.

Wilbert Walker is expected to do well in the triple jump, while Candicea Bernard is the clear favourite to cop the discus event.

Asafa Powell has been in exceptional form since the start of the year and is responsible for the two fastest times over 100m this year, 9.82 and 9.83. However, the World Championships bronze medallist and Commonwealth Games champion will be competing in the 200m at this year's trials.

Olympic and world 100m champion, Shelly-Ann Fraser, will tackle the half-lap event, and World Championships 200m finalist, Anneisha McLaughlin, along with Rosemarie Whyte, who is continuing her experiment with the 200m.

On the male's side, Powell is expected to make easy work of a not-too-exciting field that also includes Lanceford Spence and André Wellington.

Olympic and world silver medallist, Sherone Simpson, is the clear favourite in the women's 100m field, which also includes McLaughlin and former Carifta champion Carrie Russell, as well as former Queen's standout Samantha Henry.

The men's 100m is expected to be a more even contest between MVP Track club teammates Nesta Carter and Michael Frater, with Lerone Clarke and Winston Barnes also expected to do well.

Olympic and world silver medallist Shericka Williams will lead a strong field in the women's 400m, in what is easily the most competitive event on the schedule.

Williams must stave off competition from Novlene Williams-Mills, the fastest Jamaican this year with a time of 50.32, and Beijing Olympics finalist Whyte. Kaliese Spencer, who has a personal best of 50.55, is also expected to feature, along with Anastasia Le-Roy.