DEFENDING world 400-metre champion Antonio Watson, who has hardly competed in the event since his success two years ago in Budapest, Hungary, was a winner in Europe yesterday.
Competing at the Folksam Grand Prix in Sollentuna, Sweden, Watson showed signs of getting back to fitness by winning the men’s 400m in a season’s best 45.21 seconds. He held off the challenge of Ibrahim of Qatar, who was second in a season’s best 45.28, with Havard Bentdal Ingvaldsen of Norway third in 45.77.
Odaine McPherson, who was hoping to get back to winning ways in the men’s 100m after being disqualified for a false start in his previous race, had to settle for second in 10.19 seconds (-1.0 mps). Gift Leotlela of South Africa won the event in 10.15, with Sweden’s Henrik Larsson third in 10.27.
Olympian and national champion Danniel Thomas-Dodd had to settle for third place in the women’s shot put after a heave of 18.58 metres on her second attempt. Fanny Roos of Sweden won the event with 18.86m, while her compatriot Axelina Johansson was second with 18.59m.