World champions Oblique Seville, Antonio Watson cruise at National Champs

The four-day National Junior and Senior Athletics Championships started on Thursday with World champions Oblique Seville and Antonio Watson easing to wins in their heats on the opening day at the National Stadium.

Seville of Racers started as the heavy favourite for the 100 title in the absence of Kishane Thompson of MVP and he duly won his heat effortlessly in 10.09 (-1.0) to lead all qualifiers into the semi-finals.

Ackeem Blake of Dynamic Speed won his heat in 10.11 while 19-year-old Gary card of MVP looked relax in winning his heat in 10.33. former schoolboy prodigy Sachin Dennis of Elite, now 24-year-old, finally made it to the National Trials but his 10.42 clocking failed to advance to the semis.

All eyes were on American born Justin Stewart of Apranch simply because he is the son of Jamaican Olympians Raymond Stewart and Beverly McDonald and he choose Jamaica over the United States of America.

He competed in the Under-20 category and was second in heat one of the 100m in 10.75 (-1.5) behind James Harrison of Excelsior High who won in 10.73. Dontae Watson of Jamaica College was the fastest into the semi-final with 10.65.

Meanwhile, the 2023, 400m World champion Antonio Watson of Racers cruised home in winning his heat in 45.91 and was second fastest behind his club mate Jeremy Brembridge who won his heat in 45.84.

Ackelia Smith retained her long jump title leaping 6.81m and edged out the inform Nia Robinson who did 6.80m. Rohanna Sudlow of Kansas State was third with 6.25m.

Lamara Distin also retained her high jump crown clearing the bar at 1.86m. Annishka McDonald of West Virginia State was second with 1.80m