EL PASO, Texas, CMC – Churandy Martina set a World-leading time, and won the men’s 100 metres at the University of Texas El Paso Invitational on Saturday at Kidd Field.
Watched by his retiring former coach Bob Kitches, the 25-year-old sprinter from Curaçao dashed a World-best time of 10.03 seconds this year, and edged out American Ryan Bailey.
Martina however, failed to complete the sprint double, when Bailey, a 6-ft, 5-in tall sprinter Americans hope someday will rival Jamaican sprint megastar Usain Bolt, turned the tables.
Bailey was battling an upset stomach and calf cramps, but posted his own world-leading mark in the 200m with a time of 20.40s – Martina finished second in 20.48s.
The meet was the last, which long-time UTEP track & field head coach Bob Kitchens supervised.
Kitchens will retire following the 2010 outdoor season after 22 successful years at the helm of the Miners programme. It will mark the end of an illustrious 42-year coaching career.
Olympic 100 bronze medallist Obadele Thompson from Barbados passed through Kitchens’ hands, as well as one of Nigeria’s top sprinters, Olapade Adeniken.
