HAVING made the semi-finals of the World Championship 100m in Eugene Oregon in his first year as a senior athlete in 2022, rising Jamaica sprint star Ackeem Blake says he is now a lot more mature, focused, and ready to do great things.

The 21-year-old Ackeem Blake opened his season in the men’s 60m at the Camperdown Classic on Saturday at the National Stadium, winning the event in 6.63 seconds.

He defeated his club mate from Titans International Track Club, former world 100m champion Yohan Blake, who was second in 6.64. Emmanuel Archibald was third in 6.70.

“My training has been going good so far because I am healthy and I am ready,” Blake said. “I have been putting in work and so I was expected to go out there, deliver, and that is what I did tonight.

“My two coaches [Gregory Little and Michael Frater] have been working very hard with me and so I just went out there and execute my race plan and had fun,” he said,” he added.

Ackeem Blake has a personal best 9.93 in the 100m, which he achieved last season at the National Championships in June at the National Stadium.

He shared that he has been working hard during training this season to improve on his weak areas, and once he gets them right then he is expecting to run much faster this season.

“I am still young and I am improving, and so I am not putting a time on myself because I am just going to go out there [and] execute — and once the execution [is right] then the times will come,” he said.

Talented female sprinter Briana Williams, who is also from Titans, also opened her season yesterday with a 7.22 clocking to win the women’s 60m event. Jura Levy was second in 7.34 while third went to Rohanna Wright in 7.71.

Williams said she was pleased with her race.

“It felt quick, and I am happy to be here to start the season,” said Williams. “I have been working on endurance and the last part of the races, and this is just the start to getting into the 100m and 200m.”

Meanwhile, Antonio Watson from Racers Track Club captured the men’s 400m final in 46.63 ahead of his club mate Anthony Cox (46.68) and Swept Track Club’s Roshawn Clarke (47.23).

Kishay Rowe turned in an outstanding performance on her way to winning the girls’ Class One 800m in a new personal best 2:09.23. She erased her previous best time of 2:0.09.31.

Hydel’s Dannielle King was second in 3:13.07 while third went to St Mary’s Shone Walters in 2:14.72.

Alana Reid led home a Hydel one-two-three on her way to winning the girls’ Class One 100m in 11.64. Alliah Baker was second in 11.79 while Oneika McAnnuff was third in 11.95.

Hydel won the girls’ Class One 4x100m relay in a new meet record time of 44.59 ahead of Wolmer’s who were a distant second in 47.72, while third went to Petersfield in 49.04.

— Robert Bailey