ATHLETICS-James leads Caribbean winners at Grand Prix event.

HAMILTON, Bermuda, CMC – Former Olympic and world men’s 400-meter champion Kirani James led the list of English-speaking Caribbean winners at the Bermuda Grand Prix on Sunday.

The 31-year-old led the Caribbean charge on the track, winning his pet event in the World Athletics Continental Tour Silver event at the Flora Duffy Stadium. He was joined by Trinidad & Tobago sprinter Jereem Richards and the Jamaica duo of Stacy Ann Williams and Shiann Salmon, while Jaydon Hibbert covered himself in glory in the men’s triple jump.

James clocked 46 seconds flat to lead an English-speaking Caribbean sweep of the men’s 400, with Alonzo Russell of the Bahamas finishing second in a time of 47.05 secs, only 0.10 ticks ahead of Demish Gaye of Jamaica.

Richards, 30, a two-time Commonwealth Games champion, ran 20.39 to win the men’s 200. Matthew Boling of the United States came second in 20.42, and Udodi Chudi Onwuzurike of Nigeria finished third in 20.61.

Williams, 25, an Olympic and world mile relay medallist, stamped her authority on the field in the women’s 400, clocking 51.71 to beat Jessica Gbai of the Ivory Coast into second with a time of 53 flat, with Paola Morán of Mexico coming third in 53.21.

Emerging talent Salmon, 25, did well to finish the women’s 400 hurdles in 56.59, beating Cassandra Tate of the United States into second with a 57.04, and Aminat Jamal of Bahrain was third in 57.94.

Hibbert also led a Caribbean podium sweep with 17.33 meters, Jah-Nhai Perinchief of Bermuda was second with 17.13, and Jordan Scott of Jamaica was third with 17.05.

Jamaican Chanice Porter led other English-speaking Caribbean podium finishes with a leap of 6.62 meters to finish second in the women’s long jump.

Monae Nicholls of the United States was 29 centimeters better to win, and fellow American Jasmine Moore leaped 6.60 to take third.

Alana Reid of Jamaica clocked 11.29 and was third, only 0.01 ahead of compatriot Kemba Nelson in the women’s 100, which was won by Tamari Davis of the United States in 11.04, with fellow American Kortnei Johnson coming second in 11.29.

Ashanti Moore of Jamaica ran 23.12 and was also third in the women’s 200, which Abby Steiner of the United States won in 22.71. Another American, Kynnedy Flannel, took second in 23.01.

Yanique Thompson of Jamaica dashed 12.86 and was third in the women’s 100 hurdles, which was won by Amber Hughes of the United States in 12.57. Ebony Morrison of Liberia ran second in 12.80.