A Quebec winner of a tough sprint event? It’s been a long time since we saw that. That’s what Audrey Leduc did on Sunday night, becoming the first athlete from Quebec to win the 100m since her Montreal Athletics Classic debut in 2018.
The 23-year-old from Gatineau beat Jacqueline Modogo by a short drive of one second and Crystal Emmanuel (11.48 s) at the very end of the race to stop the clock at 11.36 s, with a favorable wind of 2.5 m/s, so prevents the result from being approved.
But that didn’t take away anything from the happiness of the 23-year-old Gatineau resident walking on cloud nine.
” This is exceptional. I ran my best time ever, whether it was legal or not. 11.36, I haven’t done that yet. Pretty inexplicable. “
Not only did Audrey Leduc unofficially lower her personal mark, but she also earned a big name in athletics in the country: Crystal Emmanuel, eight -time Canadian 100m champion, three -time Worlds finalist and Olympic Games finalist. Rio. For Jacqueline Madogo, she set her best time at 11.29 s last week.
I raced with two women ahead of me in the standings. And then I beat them both. Just to do that is a success in itself. But in my time too, he makes that moment one of my best careers.
Audrey Leduc, who has been running for Université Laval Rouge et Or for three years and also wears Gatineau Athletics Club colors, received a greeting from Crystal Emmanuel. He saw that the reigning Canadian champion so far was in physical trouble. Emmanuel also left the 200m final due to muscle pain.
Of course, the Quebec athlete knows that injuries can affect performance.
” It just stays on paper, I beat an Olympian. It is very much fun to say that. “
What’s exciting about Audrey Leduc is that she has continued to improve on her seasons since the start of the outdoor season. And suddenly, the goal of a podium at the Canadian Championships becomes more feasible for him.
With this unofficial time of 11.36 s, Audrey Leduc is approaching the standard required to participate in the Worlds (11.15 s). Another step he should take, but may not be this year, is referring to one that is more aimed at the 2024 Olympics.
But we’ll see Audrey Leduc running this summer as part of the Canadian relay teams at the Commonwealth Games and NACAC Championships.
Aiyana Stiverne is getting stronger
Another local sprinter, Aiyanna Stiverne, had a great night at the office. He collected 2nd place in the 200 m (23.72 s) in addition to success in his specialty, the 400 m.
Stiverne, a Miami native, has dual citizenship. His father, Jean, was born in Montreal and did some athletics with Bruny Surin before becoming a footballer.
His 400m time of 53.39s is far from standard for the Worlds, but satisfactory for him in terms of execution, considering his flight was delayed five hours the day before from Florida.
The one who had no training in 2020 because of Covid, spent the last year hunting for the Olympic standard, dreaming of the Tokyo Games. in vain. 2022 now allows him to focus on his sensations and not on the result, so he achieved his best time of the season (51.35 s), a week ago in Miami.
” It’s been a long time since I’ve been this fast. I want to build it. “
Aiyana Stiverne still has family in Montreal. His coach, Ronald Morency, also lives in Laval. That is why it is not uncommon for him to come and conduct mini-training camps with her.
Aiyana Stiverne will take three more chances this summer to secure her spot on the Canadian team for the World Championships in Eugene, Oregon in mid-July, either in the 400m individual or in the relay.
The goal is always to run his individual event, but I want to be part of the 4 x 400m relay. I believe I can be part of the relay. No, I will be part of the relay. Let’s be positive.
Micha Powell is hungry too
Micha Powell, from Montreal, has exactly the same sights as Aiyanna Stiverne for the Worlds. He took 2nd place in the 400m at the Montreal Athletics Classic by crossing the line in 54.05 s. Justice can do nothing to him.
It must be said that he was barely recovering from a Covid infection that prevented him from training for almost two weeks. The wind, he says, cut his legs in the second half of the race.
Celle, whose parents are famous Olympians (Rosey Edeh and Mike Powell), has recorded 52.91s this season and wants to drop the bar in 51 seconds.
” If I can do that, I know I will stay in my seat in the 4x400m. Hopefully at the Canadian championship, I will really bring surprise and surprise for Quebec because I know it’s on my legs. “
SUCCESSION GROWS
Quebec sprinters therefore seem to be increasingly taking their place in the world of sprinting. And what about Montrealer Catherine Léger, 200m specialist, expatriate at the University of California and Los Angeles (UCLA) who has been running the NCAA circuit for two years. Deondra Green, also from Montreal, also ranks in the NCAA at West Texas A&M University.
All of this is much more pleasing old like Aiyana Stiverne and Micha Powell, both 27 years old.
In 2019, we had a great group of sprinters from Quebec, Stiverne said. It would be great to have more because everyone is still from Ontario. And we feel we are left behind.
Micha Powell, who graduated from her studies and now divides her time between Montreal and Toronto where she trains, shares the same opinion.
” Many girls are very fast in Quebec. Very nice look. We can even make a very good 4x 100 m Quebec. “
Who knows? It’s not impossible to see all these beautiful people gather at the next national sprint center that opens this fall in Montreal.
Source: Radio-Canada
