Fraser-Pryce Clocks 10.94 in Season Debut as Ackeem Blake Delivers Big Win at Velocity Fest
Three-time Olympic champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce made a winning return to the track to open her 2025 campaign in style at Velocity Fest 17, held on Saturday, April 19, at Kingston’s National Stadium.
Despite only competing in the heats, Fraser-Pryce, the 10-time World champion, showed she remains a dominant force. Running with a tailwind of +3.1 m/s, she clocked 10.94 seconds in heat one of the women’s 100m to finish comfortably ahead of Natasha Morrison and Trinidad & Tobago’s Shaniqua Bascombe (11.01).
Other heat winners included:
Kemba Nelson (11.07) over Serena Cole (11.27) and Lavanya Williams (11.31) in heat two
Tina Clayton (11.12), who edged out Kasheika Cameron (11.27) and Mickaell Moodie (11.45) in heat three
Clayton returned for the A Final, where she secured victory in 11.17, ahead of Morrison (11.29) and Cole (11.30). Fraser-Pryce opted not to run the final, having already made a statement with her heat performance.
Men’s 100m Final: Blake Blazes to Sub-10
Ackeem Blake delivered one of the meet’s highlights, blazing to a 9.96 victory in the men’s 100m final with a +1.7 m/s wind. He held off Nigel Ellis (10.11) and Bryan Levell (10.19) in a stacked field.
Tia Clayton Cruises in the 200m
In the women’s 200m, Tia Clayton impressed with a strong run to take the win in 23.09 seconds, continuing her fine form on the circuit.
