Stewart braces for 200m showdown with VCB

André Lowe, Senior Staff Reporter

Having already booked her ticket in the 100m at this year's IAAF World Championships in Athletics, Daegu, South Korea, World and Olympic silver medallist, Kerron Stewart, has turned her attention to the 200m and is looking forward once again to facing Veronica Campbell-Brown.

Stewart stopped the clock at 10.97, finishing behind Campbell-Brown, who posted 10.84 to win the women's 100m final on Friday night inside the National Stadium, at the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association/ Supreme Ventures Limited National Senior Championships.

Jura Levy was third in 11.12 seconds.

Campbell-Brown and Stewart are expected to go at it again in the women's 200m final, which is scheduled for tonight at 7:15 p.m. and Stewart, the former St Jago High school athlete, is looking forward to the contest.

"Anytime you run against your own, especially knowing that they are among the best in the world, it is always a privilege for me," said Stewart ahead of last night's first contest. "I look forward to facing her (Campbell-Brown) and to facing such a challenge. I'm someone who loves competition, so I really just cannot wait to see the result and how everything plays out.

"It's going to be exciting and I just want to thank everyone for their support. Every time I step on the track I run for the glory of God and I think once I do that, everything will fall into place," Stewart added.

Stewart, who finished fourth in the 100m in 11.07 seconds at the JN Jamaica Invitational in May - the last time she competed in Jamaica, reported that she has made significant progress since then and that she is ready to face the season in the best of condition.

First real race

"That was my first real race, but I am in much better condition now and I'm ready to run, I'm ready to run fast, I just can't wait, honestly," Stewart added, before expressing satisfaction with her development and preparation at this point in the season.

"I have been working on everything; I can't really say that I am concentrating on any one area. To be a complete sprinter you have to keep working on all areas of your race, from your technique to your strength because that's the only way you will get better and that's what I have been doing," Stewart noted.

"When you come to these trials in Jamaica, you better be ready to run and if that means peaking twice, now and before the World Championships, you better be prepared to do so, you have to be ready to run. It's about making sure that you are on your 'A' game on that day," Stewart reiterated.

SCHEDULE

• FIELD EVENTS

4:00pm Pole Vault Men Final

5:00pm Javelin Women Final

5:00pm High Jump Women Final

5:30pm Triple Jump Women Final

5:30pm Shot Put Men Final

• TRACK EVENTS

5:00pm 100M Hurdles Women Semi-Finals

5:15pm 110M Hurdles Men Semi-Finals

5:25pm 10000M Men Final

6:15pm 400M Women Final

6:25pm 400M Men Final

6:35pm MEDAL PRESENTATION

6:45pm 100M Hurdles Women Final

6:55pm 110M Hurdles Men Final

7:00 MEDAL PRESENTATION

7:15pm 200M Women Final

7:20pm 200M Men Final