Thomas stays strong with close win

Four days after receiving news of his father's tragic death, national 110 metres hurdles champion Dwight Thomas managed to lift himself and post a solid 13.29 seconds win in his pet event at the 2011 Lucerne meet in Switzerland yesterday.

Thomas, who thanked his supporters after the win, powered to the line to barely get the better of American pair Akins Tyrone, 13.30, and Dominic Berger, 13.40, in a close finish.

"I got my first win since ya'll know what happened to one of the most special persons in my life," Thomas posted through his Twitter account.

"Love ya'll and thanks for the support," he added.

Thomas's father, Aston, was killed in an apparent robbery attempt in Glengoffe, St Catherine, on Sunday night.

Ashmeade takes 100m

The former Calabar man was one of two Jamaicans who had wins at the meet, as fast-rising sprinter Nickel Ashmeade (10.24 seconds) was the pick of the field in the 100m, winning ahead of American Kimmons Trell (10.27). Travis Padgett, 10.28, was third while the second Jamaican in the race, Kimmari Roach, 10.39, was fourth.

Jamaican Marvin Anderson, 20.54 seconds, was second to Walter Dix, 20.02, in the men's 200m with Jeremy Dobson running third in 20.58.

Veteran Aleen Bailey was third in the women's 100m, posting 11.31 seconds behind the in-form Trinidadian Kelly-Ann Baptiste, 11.11, and USA's Alexandria Anderson, 11.22, while the other Jamaican in the event, Schillonie Calvert, was fifth in 11.37.

Nickiesha Wilson was fourth in the 400m hurdles in 56.29 seconds. The event was won by IAAF World Championships medal contender, American Lashinda Demus, in 54.18, with Ukraine Yaroshchuk Hanna, 55.46, second, and Briton Eilidh Child, 55.67, third.

Defending world champion, Brigitte Foster-Hylton, continues to struggle, finishing eighth in the 100m hurdles in 13.78 seconds, the same position occupied by Lansford Spence, 46.24 seconds, in the men's 400m.

- A.L.