GLASGOW — Michelle-Lee Ahye cemented her burgeoning sprinting reputation by winning the 100 metres at the Glasgow Grand Prix on Saturday.
Although the 24-year-old Trinidadian fell to the Hampden Park track seemingly in disbelief, the winning feeling is becoming very familiar.
A time of 11.01 seconds secured a ninth unbeaten final in 2014 for the year’s fastest woman. Ahye finished 0.09 seconds ahead of Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, the Jamaican sprinter stepping up her recovery from a left leg injury.
While the injury is restricting Fraser-Pryce to the relay race back here later this month at the Commonwealth Games, Ahye will return to Glasgow as a gold medal contender.
“It’s a lot of pressure on me but I’m getting used to it now,” Ahye said. “It was shocking to me at first but I know what kind of potential I have so I’m working harder.”
As for Fraser-Pryce, finishing second with a season-best time exceeded her expectations.
“It’s has been a rough two months but I’m really pleased I executed it,” she said. “It felt good as coming back has been a slow, long process.”
Still, though, Fraser-Pryce isn’t fully fit.
“It’s not how I want to feel but it’s not something that’s troubling me or puzzling me,” she said. “But is says to me ‘I’m getting better’ and for that I’m grateful. I’m progressing.”
Fraser-Pryce’s smooth race was in contrast to fellow Jamaican Yohan Blake who pulled up during the men’s sprint on Friday night clutching his thigh and leaving the track in a wheelchair. Despite fears of a fresh hamstring injury, the sprinter’s manager allayed fears on Saturday.
“It seems to be initially cramp. The doctors here in Glasgow were excellent,” said Blake’s manager, Cubie Seegobin. “They did an ultra-scan, and it showed no damage.”
Blake had already ruled himself out of returning for the Commonwealth Games, but many competitors were using this Diamond League meet as preparation for the July 23-Aug. 3 event.
After winning the 800-meter title at the 2012 London Olympics, David Rudisha is on course to add Commonwealth gold to his collection after showing he has overcome recent knee troubles to win here in 1:43.34. The 25-year-old Kenyan was more than two seconds faster than Andre Olivier of South Africa.
“This year has been a tough year, a struggle for me coming back from injury,” Rudisha said.
Isaac Makwala of Botswana maintained his strong progress by winning the 400 in 44.71, and Silas Kiplagat crossed first in the 1,500 in 3:32.84.
There was an American one-two in the women’s 100 hurdles as Queen Harrison was a tenth of a second ahead of Lolo Jones. Compatriot Ajee Wilson emerged victorious in the 800, but Californian Allyson Felix had to settle for second place behind Dutch runner Dafne Schippers in the 200 sprint.
An injury in the warm-up on Saturday prevented Greg Rutherford competing in the long jump, which was won by Jeff Henderson with a leap of 8.21 metres.
“I’m not really too satisfied with how I jumped but it is all about achieving the win,” the Arkansas-native said.