Grand Slam Track: Thomas cops Long Sprint title after finishing second in 400m
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Despite running a stadium record of 48.67 to win the 400m on Saturday, World champion Salwa Eid Naser of Bahrain had to settle for second overall in the Women’s Long Sprint to American Gabby Thomas who was second in the 400m with personal best of 49.14 at the Grand Slam Track meet in Kingston.
Thomas finished with 20 points overall after winning the 200m on Friday and ran the 400m race of her life, sweeping past 2020 400m Olympic champion Marileidy Paulino to snatch the second spot.
Thomas walked away with US$100,000 while Eid Naser collected US$50,000 for second overall with 17 points after coming fourth in the 200m. Paulino with 14 points was third overall and gets US$30,000.
Jamaica’s Stacey-Ann Williams finished fifth in the 400m in 50.12 and finished sixth overall with six points. Williams collected US$15,000 (J$2.4m). Her country woman Nickisha Pryce was sixth in 50.92 for eighth overall with four points and collected US$10,000 (J$1.57m).
Earlier, Jamaica’s Kemba Nelson (11.37), Alana Reid (11.47) and Jodean Williams (11.68) were 5th, 6th and 8th respectively in the Women’s 100m.
The race was won by American Melissa Jefferson in 11.11 seconds, giving her 12 points for her efforts. Late addition to the Grand Slam, Jenna Prandini was second in 11.23 ahead of Jacious Sears of the USA in 11.25. They will be back in action in the 200m on Sunday to decide the Short Sprint winner.
