BEIJING, China - Central American and Caribbean (CAC) double sprint champions Yohan Blake and Carrie Russell won bronze in the men's and women's 100 metres to give Jamaica its first two medals on yesterday's second day of competition at the 11th IAAF World Junior Championships at the Chaoyang Sports Centre.

The nation is currently 15th in the medal standings being led by the host country with one gold and two bronze.

BEIJING, China - Yohan Blake (right) of Jamaica celebrates his 100-metre bronze medal here yesterday. Harry Aikines-Aryeetey of Britain (centre) took the gold and Canada's Justyn Warner the silver. (Photo: Bryan Cummings)

Fifteen-year-old Russell showed immense nerve and maturity on her World Junior debut, clocking 11.42 seconds for third in the blue riband event won by Bulgaria's Tezdzhan Naimova in 11.28.

Pe-race favourite Gabby Mayo of the United States was accredited with the silver despite clocking the same time as Russell.

BEIJING, China - Jamaica's Carrie Russell celebrates her bronze medal in the women's 100 metres on the second day of competition at the 11th IAAF World Junior Championships at the Chaoyang Sports Centre yesterday. (Photo: Bryan Cummings)

"I did great for my country... I told my team-mate (Schillonie Calvert) that I'm sorry she was out of the final and pledged to do double work...

"I didn't get the start that I needed, but I still managed to win a medal," an out-of-breath Russell told the Observer minutes after the race.

Russell was full of praise for the individuals who guided her to stardom on the world stage, including her high school coach Ryan Patterson.

Blake also left it late in the men's equivalent, storming through in the final 20 metres to grab bronze in 10.42 secs ahead of compatriot Remaldo Rose, who finished one hundredth of a second slower in 10.43 for fourth.

BEIJING, China - Jamaica's Sherene Pinnock gets a good start in the semi-finals of the women's 400-metre hurdles yesterday. Pinnock won to book her place in today's final. (Photo: Bryan Cummings)

"I can't explain how proud I am of myself for what I did today (yesterday) even though I could do much better, but I thank God for this because I had faith in myself to come out here and do what I had to," said an elated Blake.

On the other hand, Rose, who missed the National Trials in the last week of June with a shin injury, was heartbroken after just failing to at least retain the bronze medal he won two years earlier in Grosseto, Italy.

"I didn't get a great start... I tried my best to excel myself in the latter part of the race, but the guys were in front and I just finished fourth," said Rose.

The gold medal went to Britain's Harry Aikines-Aryeetey in a season's best 10.37, while Justyn Warner of Canada secured the silver with 10.39 seconds.

Head coach of Jamaica's team, Maurice Wilson, was pleased that the team ended day two with some silverware.
"Well, I believe it was a great afternoon session. We got two bronze medals from maybe two of the youngest members in the team - one from Carrie Russell, which really was a great run for her, and the ever-improving Blake," said Wilson.

He added: "We're a little bit disappointed that Rose was unable to medal, but we know he was injured earlier in the year and we really want to congratulate him also."

More medals could be on the horizon for Jamaica on today's third day of competition. Sonita Sutherland will run from lane five after clocking a brisk 51.67 to win semi-final three. She is expected to face the most competition from Sudan's Nawal El Jack (51.84) and Russia's Kseniya (51.94).

Edino Steele (46.55) and Allodin Fothergill (46.68) progressed to the men's final as fastest losers after finishing third in the semi-finals.

Kaleise Spencer and Sherene Pinnock cemented their places in the one-lap obstacle race.

"I think this is the first time we are having two athletes in the final of the male 400. Sutherland also did well in her semi-final, as also Spencer and Pinnock, who did extremely well in the 400-metre hurdles," said Wilson, who previously guided Sheryl Morgan (2002), Anneisha McLaughlin (2002 and 2004) and Sutherland (2004) to medals at this evel in the past.

Four other Jamaicans will be in action today. Natasha Ruddock - returning from a long injury lay-off - will be the nation's lone representative in the women's 100-metre hurdles, while Naffene Briscoe, Anasthasia Leroy and Tristan Taylor all contest the heats of the 200 metres.

Wilson told the Observer that his management staff will continue to tread lightly as they seek more medals in the Chinese capital.

"We don't want to put the cart in front of the horse, we want to deal with each session accordingly and we're just hoping that the athletes can maintain the kind of form that they have been showing throughout the camps and just keep a level head and do their best," he said.

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