Ramon Gittens win 100m

Ramon Gittens is the 2016 National 100m champion of Barbados.

 

Gittens moved in the final with the fastest time of 10.17 secs and was sandwiched between Levi Cadogan and Burkheart Ellis in the final.

 

Cadogan who had already qualified for the Olympics in the 200m was trying to qualify in the 100m and it is his favoured distance.

 

But Gittens who was representing Rising Stars has already dipped below the required time and was back home on a mission. That mission was to capture the national title.

 

Gittens stormed through the middle of the pack to be a clear winner in 10.09 secs. Cadogan (Quantum Leap) managed to edge out Mario Burke for second but was still split seconds off the time he needed to qualify for the Olympics as he stopped the clock at 10.22 secs. Burke clocked 10.25 secs, while Ellis was fourth in 10.33 secs.

 

Gittens said that he came out and did what he was supposed to do, which is win the race and become national champion again.

 

With his focus on the execution of his race, Gittens told the media that he was never focused on time as his philosophy was not to run 9 seconds right away.

 

“My philosophy is not about running 9 seconds right away. It is to make the final at the Olympic Games in Rio and if 9 seconds come there that is when I am most grateful.”

 

He said he was working on the execution of his whole race but “my first part was a little shabby tonight but the ending was awesome and that was giving me trouble all year.”

 

With the troublesome part of his race coming on, Gittens said he is really excited as he hasn’t reached his peak yet.

 

“I am ahead of where I was last year. But this was planned three years ago, this is nothing surprising to me. I worked my butt off to get where I need to be at and I am trying to be out there with the top dogs and compete at the top level and make a name for Barbados.”

 

“I will go back home and put in some more work and I will be ready for the Olympics,” said Gittens.

 

He said he planned to have some fun in the 200m. A disappointed Cadogan said he had a lot of hopes coming into the National Championships of reaching the qualifying standard but unfortunately he did not get there.

 

“I was good until the last 10-20 metres but probably tired and not race fit. The better man won today and the race is over,” said Cadogan.

 

“I was doing it last year as well and the coach is working on it and God is with me so I am trusting I will get there.”

 

Jermain Hinds was the winner of the Men’s 100m B final in 10.68 secs, edging out Matthew Clarke who clocked 10.70 seconds. 

 

Third was Karson Kowalchuk in 10.80 secs. 

 

In the Women 100m A final visitor Marissa Kurtmah won in a time of 11.44 seconds from Ashley Marshall (11.55 secs) and Jade Bailey (11.57 secs). Tristan Evelyn was fourth 11.64 secs. 

 

In the women’s B final, Kiera Forde-Richards won 12.50 secs from Shemia Odaine (12.52 secs) and Tamika Inniss (12.65 secs).