FORMER Under-20 champion Tina Clayton says her victory in the Women’s 60m at the World Indoor Qualifier at G C Foster College of Physical Education and Sport in Spanish Town, St Catherine, yesterday is a significant boost for her career this season. Clayton defeated a strong field, which included her MVP teammate Shericka Jackson, to win the event in a season’s best time of 7.08 seconds.

Her MVP teammate Natasha Morrison secured second place with a personal best of 7.09s, while Kishawna Niles from University of Technology, Jamaica finished third with a personal best of 7.12s. Jackson, who was making her return from injury, placed fourth in 7.14s.

Clayton, the twin sister of Tia who finished seventh in the Women’s 100m final at last year’s Olympic Games in Paris, was delighted with her performance.

“For me, my level of confidence is always high but this is an energy booster to go even harder in training,” Clayton said, flashing a broad smile.

She says she is pleased with her execution of the race.

“For me, I am going to say that I executed properly but I leave the decision up to my coach to tell me if I executed the race properly,” she said.

Clayton stated that she is uncertain whether she will compete at the World Athletics Indoor Championships later this month, as her main focus is staying healthy and having a successful season.

“The season has been going pretty good so far, but you know there are ups and downs,” she said. “For me, it is going very well. My main focus is just to stay focused and healthy.”

National 100m champion Rohan Watson clocked a personal best of 6.50s to claim the overall victory in the Men’s 60m event. Nishion Ebanks was second in 6.57s while third place went to Cejhae Green in 6.59s.

Wendell Miller from The Bahamas captured the Men’s 400m in a nail-biting finish with a time of 45.95s. National record holder Rusheen McDonald also clocked 45.95s but finished second. Delano Kennedy was third in 46.40s.

Janieve Russell secured gold in the Women’s 400m with a time of 53.57s, finishing ahead of Annalice Brady (54.54s), while Jezelle Shaw placed third in 55.18s.

Lamario Wright clocked a season’s best of 1:53.66 minutes to win the Men’s 800m, finishing ahead of Samuels Henry (1:55.64), with third place going to Jadua Burke in 1:56.85.

Tina Clayton (left) defeats Shericka Jackson over 60m at GC Foster College on Saturday. Karl McLarty