Perhaps one of the biggest disappointments of the 2019 edition of the Jamaica National Senior Trials, was Akeem Bloomfield’s fifth place finish in the 200m as also his non-entry in the 400m. In fact, based on his placing in the 200m and his withdrawal from the 400m, Bloomfield will not be selected for the 2019 Qatar World Championship schedule for late September to early October. However, if Bloomfield is able to win the Diamond league in the 200m or the 400m, he could qualify for either event by the ‘wild card” route and book his place in Qatar. This would give Jamaica four spots in either the 200m or 400m.
Underperforming
Indeed, Bloomfield’s fifth place finish in the 200m was a major shocker to analysts and fans, most of whom believed that the 19.81 athlete would have been an easy qualifier for the half lap event. Certainly over the last year there has been no other Jamaican athlete who has posted times within the ballpark of Bloomfield’s personal bests in the 200m (19.81) and 400m (43.94).
At the Racers Adidas Grand Prix, that was held a few week prior to the Jamaica National Senior Trials, the 6ft 6” Bloomfield, won the 200m in 20.34 seconds, leading a quality field that included Rasheed Dwyer, who finished in second place in 20.43 seconds. And this he did, coming off the curve late, and chasing Dwyer down the homestretch, before passing him with a late surge, five meters before the line.
The ominous signs of problems
In two separate meets after the Racers Grand Prix and prior to the Jamaica National Senior Trials in late-June, Bloomfield either did not start or did not finish the 200m race that he was entered in. And those two situations suggested to track analysts and fans that he had some injury concerns and would likely struggle at the Jamaica National Senior Trials. Nevertheless, we were all hoping for the best seeing that he is a quality athlete and his general management has improved significantly since leaving his Jamaican High School (Kingston College).
Bloomfield withdrawal in 200m final
At the Jamaica National Senior Trials in the men’s 200m eight athletes advanced from the semifinal rounds but only seven were able to do battle for an automatic spot in Qatar. The lane assignments and qualifying times were as follow:
Lane one, Akeem Bloomfield (20.66). Lane two, Nigel Ellis (20.79). Lane three, Julian Forte (20.54). Lane four, Rasheed Dwyer (20.33), the fastest qualifier. Lane five, Yohan Blake (20.42), the second fastest qualifier. Lane seven, Ugel Cornwall (20.77). And lane eight, Andre Ewars (20.62). The event was won by Rasheed Dwyer in 20.23. Yohan Blake was second in a close 20.25, and Andre Ewars was third in 20.43. Akeem Bloomfield labored the entire race and finished in fifth place in a pedestrian and struggling 20.81 which indicated that he was not race-sharp and ready.
Redemption on the horizon?
Approximately two weeks after the Jamaica National Senior Trials, Bloomfield won the 200m at a low-keyed meet defeating Rasheed Dwyer and Yohan Blake. Also, in another similar meet where he ran in the 400m, Bloomfield defeated Demish Gay, the Jamaica national senior champion.
The negative outcome for Bloomfield at the Jamaica National Senior Trials was an outcome that went totally against the script of track and field analysts and pundits and against the expectations of track and field fans and enthusiasts. But for Bloomfield’s and Jamaica’s sake, let’s hope that the talented half lap and one lap athlete will find his way to Qatar via the “wild card” route that is afforded to all by the Diamond League series.
Bloomfield took the first step to redemption by winning the 400m at the London Diamond League in a season best 44.40 seconds
Henley Taylor (Sensenya Ben Nyah), Sports Analyst & Writer
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