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Bolt fourth fastest ever 19.56

Usain Bolt clocked in lane five easy 19.56 (-0.8) in his first serious individual race of the year. He never clocked so early such a fast time, it is actually the fourth fastest ever. Only Bolt twice with his world records from Beijing and Berlin and Michael Johnson with world record in Atlanta were faster. “19.56 is very good, I am not trying to break any records this season. I had to come out here and give Jamaica a good show, this is the first the Invitational has gotten such a big crowd, so I came out and gave the people what they came for.  I did my best and I hope they appreciate it,” he said per TrackAlerts.com. On his twitter he added: „Well i did well and felling good 19.56, good season opener.“ Bolt next races are scheduled for Asia, Daegu on May 19 (100 m) and Shanghai Diamond League on May 23 (another 200 m) before heading to Ostrava for his 300 m debut (May 27). His US rival Wallace Spearmon as second was also fast with 19.98. From the top trio of fastest men Asafa Powell was missing, but Tyson Gay competed in his first international 400 m and won in 45.05.  „I worked a bit harder trying to finish. It was very hard, because my legs still hurts,” said Gay. His next known race is on May 16 in Manchester in the straight 200 m. Second Jermaine Gonzalez who is close friend and team-mate of Bolt clocked with huge last 100 metres 45.22 and beat world medalist Renny Quow of Trinidad (45.64). In expected women 100 m clash Carmelita Jeter beat Jamaicans on their home soil and first season´s sub 11 times were registered. Jeter remains unbeaten from Berlin Worlds, on Saturday she clocked 10.94 (+1.4) over Kerron Stewart (10.96) and Mershevet Myers (11.13). Other women world leads by Novlene Williams-Mills at 400 m (50.32) and Kenia Sinclair in the 800 m (1:58.62, also meet record). Second Neisha Bernard-Thomas achieved new national record for Grenada 1:59.60. Last world lead to note was the two meters clearance (in third attempt) by Chaunte Howard-Lowe in high jump. She tried then at her new PB 202. But more surprisingly she won the long jump in excellent PB (and equaled the meet record) 661 (+0.4) beating specialists Rhonda Watkins (657) and Funmi Jimoh (653). World champion Christian Cantwell won the shot put with meet record 21.50 in sixth attempt. Cory Martin solid second (20.82). Last meet record to note in the men´s 1500 m by Kenyan Josphat Kitii (3:40.30). Back to other sprints, fast 10.09 by Nesta Carter in the 100 m against -0.9 wind. He clearly beat US Darvis Patton (10.23), Trinidad´s Richard Thompson (10.25) and world leader Ivory Williams (10.28). Olympic winner Veronica Campbell-Brown got a good 200 m win in 22.60 (-0.2). World champion Kerron Clement started his hurdles season with 48.55 win over Jamaican Isa Phillips (48.87). Women 400 m hurdles winner Josanne Lucas of Trinidad achieved 54.96. In sprint hurdles Virginia Crawford won the women race after 12.72 (+0.6) beating Vonette Dixon (12.84), Tiffany Ofili (12.85) and debuting world medalist Deloreen Ennis-London (12.95). Jamaican record holder Dwight Thomas was the fastest man over the hurdles 13.33 (+1.9) ahead of Antwon Hicks (13.40) and Briton Andy Turner (13.46).