Walker posts world-leading time in Rio

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil (CMC):

Jamaican Olympic champion, Melaine Walker, cruised to a world-leading time as she won the 400 metre hurdles at the IAAF World Challenge Grande Prêmio Brasil/Caixa de Atletismo meet last Thursday.

The 28-year-old raced to 54.09 seconds, to finish ahead of fellow Jamaican Nickiesha Wilson (55.57), with Brazilian Jailma Sales de Lima third in 56 seconds at the João Havelange Olympic Stadium.

With her latest clocking, Walker improved her 54.96 from the Shanghai Diamond League meet earlier this month.

Tahesia Harrigan-Scott of the British Virgin Islands also stole a share of the headlines when she captured the women's 100 metres sprint.

She crossed the line first in 11.14 seconds, just ahead of Nigeria's Oludamola Osayomi (11.17) and Gloria Asumnu of the United States, who was third in 11.19.

Other winners

Two-time Olympic silver medallist, Ypsi Moreno of Cuba, was also in winners' row, winning the hammer throw with a measurement of 74.26 metres.

In men's action, 20-year-old Jamaican Kimmari Roach finished second in the 100 metres as Britain's Dwain Chambers easily won the event in 10.05 seconds.

Roach was second in 10.26 seconds, with Trinidadian Keston Bledman third in 10.27 and fellow countryman Marc Burns disappointingly last in 10.61 seconds.

Bahamian Trevor Barry, meanwhile, won silver when he measured 2.25 metres in the high jump won by American Dusty Jonas (2.29).