by Alfonz Juck
8 Kingston champions aim for second Slam
MIAMI (USA): The Grand Slam Track continues with the second Slam at the Ansin Sports Complex (capacity 5000 visitors approx.) in Miramar, Miami Metropolitan Area on Friday-Sunday. Eight of 12 GST Kingston champions are ready to win the second Slam, while challenging champions Ejgayehu Taye (long distance), Danielle Williams (short hurdles) and Emmanuel Wanyonyi (short distance) are missing, and Gabby Thomas stepped down to short sprints. Tokyo 400m Olympic champion Steven Gardiner is the biggest new entry.
Short group previews
Women
Short Sprints (Fri-100, Sat-200): Two Slam winners, Jefferson and stepping-down Thomas, also GST premiere for B. Brown as racer and Ofili as challenger.
Long Sprints (Fri-400, Sun-200): Naser and Paulino for their premiere Slam, Anning and indoor surprise Whittaker as a challengers.
Short Distance (Sat-1500, Sun-800): Welteji and Hiltz for Slam, Moraa again after DNF in Kingston, and Hull hoping for better result.
Long Distance (Fri-5000, Sun-3000): Ngetich is favourite after recent WR, Meshesha as most promising challenger.
Short Hurdles (Fri-100H, Sat-100): Olympic champion Russell hoping for better result, Samba-Mayela opening season, Jones was second in Kingston. Nugent in shape.
Long Hurdles (Sat-400H, Sun-400): McLaughlin-Levrone for second Slam, also Little as new racer and Carli, the fastest challenger.
Men
Short Sprints (Sat-100, Sun-200): Bednarek for second Slam, Hughes, Seville, Kerley and A.Blake behind. Canadian relay olympic winners coming in (De Grasse, J. Blake).
Long Sprints (Fri-200, Sat-400): Hudson-Smith aiming for second Slam, Gardiner as a new racer, Patterson as a challenger.
Short Distance (Fri-1500, Sat-800): Racers (1500m Olympic podium and Arop, second in Kingston) for win, challenger Haingura with strong 800m but weaker 1500m, T.Cheruiyot also competes.
Long Distance (Fri-3000, Sun-5000): Fisher for second Slam, after Gebrhiwet scratching, more tactics or more racing?
Short Hurdles (Sat-110H, Sun-100): Zhoya and Beard, top 2 from Kingston, but fast Cunningham will challenge.
Long Hurdles (Fri-400H, Sun-400): dos Santos for second Slam.
