Anthony Foster, Freelance Writer

Left: Asafa Powell   Right: Sherone Simpson

There were no major world championships in 2006 but the year was a very good one for Jamaica's track & field athletes.

World 100 metres record holder Asafa Powell won his first gold medal at a major meet, so too did Sherone Simpson. Both took home gold medals from the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, Australia, in March.

Powell's overall achievements were the highlight of the year. He was voted the IAAF's Male Athlete of the Year following his dominance.

He equalled the world record of 9.77 twice and had a record 12-sub 10 second times, while becoming the first male sprinter to win all six races at the Golden League.

Simpson won the World Athletics Final 100m (10.89) and the World Cup (10.97) while running six of the seven fastest 100m times and the two fastest 200m times, 22.00 twice.

In 2006, Jamaica on the track and in the field, won 169 medals - World Junior (2 old, one silver, five bronze), CAC Junior (31G, 16S, 11B), Carifta Games (39G, 21S, 8B), World Indoor (1S), Commonwealth Games (9G, 3S, 8B), CAC Games (5G, 3S, 4B) NACAC Under-23 (2G, 1S, 1B).

Stylish delivery

( L - R ) Sheri-Anne Brooks and Omar Brown

The medal haul began at the Commonwealth Games from March 19-25 in Melbourne, Australia, where the island's athletes delivered in fine style by taking all the sprint events, 100m, 200m, sprint hurdles and sprint relays.

Powell (10.03) and Sheri-Ann Brooks (11.19) won the 100m events while Omar Brown (20.47) and Simpson (22.59) took the 200m titles.

In the sprint hurdles, Brigitte Foster-Hylton, 12.76, won the women's 100m hurdles, Maurice Wignall came out on top in the men's 110m hurdles in 13.26 while Trecia-Kay Smith (14.39m) won the women's triple jump.

Jamaica again dominated the Carifta Games in Guadeloupe.

Remaldo Rose (10.48) and Schillonie Calvert (11.51) won the Under-20 boys' 100 metres titles while Danielle Jeffery (11.67) Dexter Lee (10.72) took the Under-17 equivalent.

At the North American Central American and Caribbean (NACAC) Under-23 Championships (July 7-9) in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, Ricardo Chambers (45.09) and the men's quarter-mile team (3:0386) secured gold medals.

In the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games, (July 25-29) in Columbia, Dorain Scott's set a Games and national record 20.34m for the gold medal. Xavier Brown won the 200m in 20.74 and the the men's 4x400m also took home gold.

At the CAC Junior Championships (July 14-16) in Trinidad & Tobago, the highlight was Jamaica sweep of all eight relay titles.

Romaine McKenzie won four gold medals, while Schillonie Calvert, Yohan Blake, Carrie Russell and Natoya Goule won three gold medals each.

In the IAAF World Cup, (September 15-16), Simpson was Jamaica's lone winner taking the 100m in 10.97 while at the World Indoor (March 10-12), Kenia Sinclair broke the CAC 800m record, but her 1:59.54 was only good enough for second behind Mozambique's Maria Mutola.

At the World Junior Championships (August 15-20), Kaliese Spencer won the women's 400m hurdles in 55.11 seconds and the men's 4x100m team secured victory in a time of 39.05 seconds to highlight Jamaica's performance at the meet held at the Chaoyang Sport Centre in China.

Feedback: anthony.foster@gleanerjm.com.

( L - R ), Trecia Smith and Chris Gayle - file photos