Hyman gets best finish with 5th in 100m final

By Cayman Sports Buzz
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Updated: 9 April 2018

Story and photos by Ben Meade in Gold Coast, Australia | © CaymanSportsBuzz.com

Kemar Hyman finished outside the medals in fifth place in the men’s 100m at the XXI Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia on 9 April, as South Africa’s Akanie Simbine stole the show to win gold.

The Cayman Islands national record holder was considered a serious medal contender after being second fastest in the semi-finals behind former World Champion Yohan Blake of Jamaica a day earlier at the Carrara Stadium.

After a blanket start, Simbine, who was running on the outside lane nine pulled away down the stretch to win in 10.03 sec. His compatriot, Henricho Bruintjies was second in 10.17, and Blake was relegated to third in a sluggish 10.19. Nigeria’s Seye Ogunlewe also clocked a season’s best of 10.19. Hyman was next with 10.21, markedly slower than his season’s best 10.10 in the semi-finals.

The temperature dipped as low as 68 degrees for the race that started after 10:00 p.m. on Australia’s Pacific coast, making conditions unfavourable for Caribbean athletes.

“I feel like it’s a little cold out here,” he told CaymanSportsBuzz.com immediately after the race. “Maybe the weather had something to do with the times not being extra fast, but I can’t complain. Everyone else ran under the same conditions. I did my best and that’s all that counted.”

Nevertheless, it was the 28-year-old’s best finish at a major international championship in his first final at this level. Hyman described it as a good experience and a great accomplishment after missing the final four years ago in Glasgow, Scotland.

“I’m still happy and proud of myself,” he said, although he admitted: “I really wanted a medal because I was focused this time [but] I’m not upset about it at all.”

Earlier, Trinidad and Tobago’s Michelle-Lee Ahye led a Caribbean sweep of the medals in the women’s 100m, punching the air as she crossed the line. Her winning time was 11.14 sec, ahead of Jamaicans Christania Williams (11.21) and Gayon Evans (11.22).

Michelle-Lee Ahye won the women’s race.

The Cayman Islands has two other track and field competitors left. Carl Morgan competes in the long jump on Tuesday and Alex Pascal in the javelin on Friday.

During the morning session on Monday, Ronald Forbes missed out on booking a spot in the 110m hurdles when he was sixth in his heat.