By Gary Smith

Jamaican sprinters, led by Olympic champions Shelly Ann Fraser and Veronica Campbell-Brown earned top spots in Track and Field News’ 2008 edition of the Women’s World Rankings.

Fraser, the first Jamaican woman to win an Olympic Games 100m title when she defeated a stellar field in Beijing last summer with a career best of 10.78 seconds, heads the list of Jamaicans who dominated the event listings.

In fact, there were four Jamaicans, including Kerron Stewart and Sherone Simpson, who shared the silver in Beijing in the top five. Campbell-Brown, who dismissed her rivals on her way to defending her Olympic 200m crown, is the other Jamaican, at number four.

American Lauryn Williams, a former world champion completed the top five. Bahamian veteran sprinter Chandra Sturrup, who produced her best season in three years, also earned a top ten place, at number nine.

Campbell-Brown leads all comers in the half-lap, finishing ahead of American world champion Allyson Felix, the woman she beat for the Olympic crown.

Olympic bronze medallist Stewart, Simpson and experienced Bahamian sprinter Debbie Ferguson-McKenzie also earned top ten places.

Stewart is ranked at number three, while Simpson is at seventh and Ferguson-McKenzie at ninth.

Jamaican Novlene Williams was the best ranked Caribbean athlete in the 400m at number three. She was followed by countrywoman and Olympic silver medallist Shericka Williams at fourth.

Jamaican-born American Sanya Richards topped the ranking ahead of the woman who stunned her in Beijing, Christine Ohuruogu of Great Britain.

Another Jamaican Olympic champion finishing 2008 as world number one was Melaine Walker, who totally dominated the 400m hurdles.

Walker, who ran a personal best and Olympic record of 52.64secs for gold in Beijing, finished the year ahead of American Sheena Tosta, the Olympic silver medallist and Anastasiya Rabchenyuk of Ukraine.

In the sprint hurdles, Jamaica’s Delloreen Ennis-London was ranked behind American world number one Lolo Jones. Brigitte Foster-Hylton, also of Jamaica is ranked at sixth.

Kenia Sinclair of Jamaica was ranked at eighth in the 800m run, while Chelsea Hammond (JAM) earned a top ten Long Jump ranking.

Cuba’s Yarelis Barrios and Yipsi Moreno are ranked second in the Discus and Hammer Throw, respectively, while their countrywomen Misleydis González and Osleidys Menéndez are ranked fourth and sixth, respectively in the Shot Put and Javelin Throw.

The release was Track and Field News’ 53rd edition, which is compiled by an international panel of experts.

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