Demish Gaye defended his men’s 400m title at the Jamaica International Invitational meet on Saturday night when he closed the show in the one-day track and field spectacle.

The GC Foster College student, who had his breakthrough season two years ago, has become one of the leading protagonists for Jamaica in the quarter mile.

Running his typical race, Gaye was happy to remain in contention with a top field, including Jamaican national record holder Rusheen McDonald, Commonwealth bronze medallist Javon Francis, top American Michael Cherry, and Bralon Taplin of Grenada.

As he did last year, the 25-year-old turned on the afterburners in the home stretch to separate himself from the pack and win, going away from the field in a respectable 45.08s. Francis, who had a difficult time in Shanghai last week, was much better on the night, closing strongly to finish second in 45.35. Taplin was third in 45.41.

Having had a less than stirring performance at the Commonwealth Games last month, which he admitted came a bit too soon for him, Gaye was all smiles after collecting his first-place award Saturday night.

“I am pleased with the time and I am pleased with the win tonight,” he admitted.

What was more satisfying for the Maurice Wilson-coached athlete was the race execution, which he said was “exactly how I wanted to execute it”.

The Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games is the only other big-ticket item left on the calendar for the seniors, and Gaye is looking forward to that event with great anticipation.

“I am looking forward to going to the CAC Games and I want to go to the National Championships and do well,” he said, but would not be drawn on becoming champion at the upcoming National Championships in June.