KINGSTON, Jamaica – World Indoor silver medalist Kaliese Spencer easily won the women’s 400 metre hurdles final in a new world leading time of 53.41 seconds Friday at the National Senior Championships at the National Stadium in Kingston.

Spencer got out of the blocks and was quickly on the shoulders of Nikita Tracey who ran out of lane five, before separating herself from the field at the 200 metre mark.

Janieve Russell was second in a new personal best time of 54.75 seconds, which saw her being elevated as the fourth fastest athlete this year. Tracey who faded to third also ran a new personal best of 55.18 seconds.

Meanwhile Olympic relay gold medalist Sherone Simpson making a return to competition failed to advance to the finals of the women’s 100 metres after finishing fourth in her semi-final.

Simpson has been out of action for almost a year, after returning a positive test for the banned stimulant oxiloforine.

The 29-year-old  running out of lane four in semi-final two clocked 11.34 seconds, behind Kerron Stewart who won in 11.09 seconds, ahead of Elaine Thompson (11.28secs) and Anneisha McLaughlin (11.33secs).

Double Olympic 200 metre gold medalist Veronica Campbell-Brown had earlier won semi-final one in 10.97 seconds, with Natasha Morrison (11.06secs) and Schillonie Calvert (11.08secs) finishing second and third respectively.

Carrie Russell easily won semi-final three in 11.26 seconds, ahead of Samantha Henry-Robinson (11.30secs).

In the men’s competition Nickel Ashmeade (10.02secs), Kemar Bailey-Cole (10.06secs), Kimmari Roach (10.21secs) and Oshane Bailey (10.26secs) were the qualifiers from semi-final one, while Jason Livermore who ran a personal best of 10.05 seconds, was joined by Julian Forte (10.10secs), Nesta Carter (10.17secs) and Andrew Fisher (10.21secs) as the qualifiers from the second semi-final for the men’s final.

Kellion Knibb who set a new national record mark of 61.34 metres earlier this year, won the women’s discus with a throw of 58.08 metres. Danniel Thomas (55.02m) and Tarasue Barnett (51.56m) were second and third respectively.

The men’s triple jump was won by Damon McLean with a leap of 16.15 metres, ahead of Daniel Lewis (16.04m) and Wayne Northover (15.83m).

Roxroy Cato left it late and came with a late burst to take the men’s equivalent in 48.48 seconds the fastest time by a Jamaican this year. Annsert Whyte was second in a personal best of 48.58 seconds, with Leford Green (49.00secs) back in third, a season’s best.

Sherdon Cowan