AFP, Kingston :
Former World Championship gold medallist Yohan Blake threw down the gauntlet to Usain Bolt with a sparkling 9.95 seconds Friday to win his semi-final heat of the men’s 100 metres at the Jamaican National Olympic Trials.
Blake ran smoothly as he beat Nickel Ashmeade (10.01) and Asafa Powell (10.02) to qualify for the final, which was set to take place later Friday at the National Stadium track.
Bolt, the reigning world and Olympic 100m champion and world record-holder at 9.58, recovered from a slow start to catch Senoj-Jay Givans on the line and win the first semi-final heat in 10.04 with Givans next in 10.05.
Elaine Thompson led the women’s 100 qualifiers with a season-best 10.85 seconds to beat Olympic and World champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce (11.12) for a spot in the final.
Simone Facey also qualified for the final, winning her heat in 11.04 ahead of Veronica Campbell-Brown (11.11).
Christania Williams looked confident as she won the third semi-final heat in 11.10 ahead of Kali Davis-White (11.26).
