Jerome Blake wins men’s 200m in record-breaking 19.95s at Canadian Championships. Leduc, DeBues-Stafford sisters also shine in Ottawa.
Blake Blazes to Historic Win in Ottawa
Kelowna’s Jerome Blake electrified the track on Sunday by setting a new Canadian championship meet record in the men’s 200 metres, clocking in at 19.95 seconds. The race took place at the Canadian Track and Field Championships in Ottawa, drawing national attention as Blake shaved 0.01 seconds off the previous record held by teammate Brendon Rodney since 2016.
Olympians Dominate the Podium
Blake’s victory also marked a personal best as he heads toward his 30th birthday on August 18. Toronto’s Aaron Brown, another member of Canada’s Olympic gold-winning 4×100 relay team, followed closely in second at 20.08 seconds. Ottawa’s Eliezer Adjibi secured third place with a time of 20.60. Both Blake and Brown met the qualifying standard for the 200 metres (20.16) ahead of September’s World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.
Road to Worlds Despite Setbacks
Blake, who already qualified for Tokyo in the 100m with a personal-best 9.97 seconds in Germany on June 21, faced disappointment earlier in the meet. He was disqualified in the 100m semifinals due to a false start, missing the final. Sunday’s 200m performance was a clear redemption moment and reaffirmed his world-class status.
Leduc Leads in Women’s 200m Final
Audrey Leduc of Gatineau, Quebec, delivered a dominant performance in the women’s 200m, finishing first in 22.55 seconds. The sprint showdown saw Toronto’s Zoe Sherar and Ottawa’s Jacqueline Madogo claim second and third with times of 22.78 and 22.81, respectively.
Sister Act in 1,500m Thriller
In the women’s 1,500 metres, Toronto’s Gabriela DeBues-Stafford clinched gold with a 4:08.38 finish. Her younger sister, Lucia Stafford, pushed hard to place second at 4:10.48. Rounding out the podium was Kate Current of Cobourg, Ontario, at 4:11.35—marking a family affair that thrilled the crowd.
Field Events See Ontario Athletes Shine
In field competition, Arthur Stanat of St. Thomas, Ontario, earned top honours in the senior men’s shot put, throwing 17.35 metres. His performance capped a weekend filled with strong provincial representation and personal triumphs across the board.
Looking Ahead
With world championships on the horizon, Canadian athletes are showcasing world-class form. Performances like Blake’s historic 200m and the DeBues-Stafford sister sweep highlight Canada’s growing strength in track and field ahead of the global stage.
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