KINGSTON, Jamaica – Yohan Blake will go into this evening’s 200 metre final as the favourite to win and retain the double he won four years ago when he beat Usain Bolt, twice, at the JAAA National Senior Championships leading up to the London Olympics.

After nearly being disqualified in the 100m final on Friday night, due to a technical fault, Blake kept his focus to win the 100m in 9.95 seconds and will clash with Nickel Ashmeade for two of the three spots in the 200m for the Rio Olympics.

With World Record holder Usain Bolt expected to be handed the third place after pulling out of the championships with a hamstring injury, just the top two tonight will have any hopes of making the team.

After winning his semi-final heat in 20.29 seconds last night, Blake stopped briefly for reporters, saying: “I am working my way back, I am feeling strong and just want to earn my spot come (Sunday night).”

Having missed most of the last three years due to a variety of injuries, Blake insisted: “I am strong enough to double, I have been training well, as you can see it was a pretty easy run and just looking forward to Sunday and the final.”

Paul Reid