ST CATHERINE, Jamaica — Veteran sprinter Kim Collins opened his outdoor season at the GC Foster College Central Hurdles and?Relays meet with a fast 6.53-second clocking to win the men’s 60-metre dash on Saturday.

Collins of St Kitts and Nevis, running from lane three in section four of the Clubs and Institutions category, rebounded from a slight stumble from the blocks to sprint away from rivals and win the event, comfortably.

The 39-year-old’s time was technically a new record as the event was being contested for the first time since the meet’s inception in 2008.

“It is very nerve-wracking when you come into situations like these where you expect to be the winner. So I was very nervous, but I am happy with the performance and it’s a great track, great facility, so I am just happy to be able to come and run a great time and walk away injury-free,” the proverbial “ageless wonder” told OBSERVER ONLINE.

Collins is an 11-time World Championship veteran who won the 100m at the 2003 Paris World Championship and was third behind Jamaica’s Yohan?Blake at the 2011 edition in Daegu.

Sherdon Cowan