Hurdles battle tipped as one to watch

(CNS): Four top international 400m female hurdlers will be battling it out on the Truman Bodden Track at the Cayman Invitational on 7 May. Third time returnees Tiffany Williams of the United States, Ajoke Odumosu of Nigeria and Jamaican representatives Ristananna Tracey and Shevon Stoddart are scheduled to race in the women's 400m hurdles event in what organisers said would be an exciting event, given the stature of the athletes. Meet director and international athlete Cydonie Mothersill said the race is sure to be tight.

“Although any one of this formidable foursome could stand on the top step during the victory ceremony, other possible show-stealing starters will include veteran Nickiesha Wilsonfrom Jamaica,” she said. “Every one of the competitors in the event presents an impressive list of accomplishments.”

Ajoke set the standard in 2012 with a winning mark of 55.09 seconds, but slipped to fifth last year. Tiffany upped her position from runner-up to the top spot in 2013, bringing down the record to an amazing 55.04 s. Ristananna jumped from sixth place in her first appearance to the second spot in 2013 and Shevon has finished fourth in both previous outings.

Tiffany Williams, from Miami, Florida represented the Miami Northwest Express Club in her early competitive career. She won the South-eastern Conference 400 m hurdles three times and was also a 15-time All-American while attending the University of South Carolina. She was the United States champion in the event in 2007 and 2008 and was a finalist at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Her personal best is listed at 53.28 s.

Ajoke Odumosu is the national record holder for Nigeria in the women's 400 m hurdles at 54.40s. posted in the semi-finals of the 2012 London Olympics. Prior to that achievement, she had attained several victories and other medal-winning performances at international competitions. She struck gold at the African Championships in 2008, the Commonwealth Games in 2010 and the All-Africa Games in 2011. Ajoke was a standout for the University of South Alabama track squad.

Lowering her time substantially to place second at last year's Cayman Invitational, Ristananna Tracey has a formidable record of achievements. At the World Junior Championships in 2010 she finished fifth and the following year she was victorious at the CAC Junior Championships. At the Jamaica National Championships in 2011 her second place time of 54.50 s. was noted as the second-best all-time mark in the event at the junior level.

Shevon Stoddart is another stalwart representative of the University of South Carolina. She competed for Jamaica at the 2004 Athens Olympics while still in college and later in 2008 in Beijing, where she finished fourth. She gained a third-place medal at the CAC Games in 2005 and competed in the World Championships later that year. Shevon placed fifth at the Commonwealth Games in 2006. Her best mark for the 400 m hurdles is 54.40 s. In addition, Shevon is a noted singer, songwriter and model.