Donald Quarrie (left) congratulates Usain Bolt after the latter set a national record of 19.75 in the 200m, erasing Quarrie's record of 19.86.

Elton Tucker, Assistant Sports Editor

The final day of the 2007 Puma/Supreme Ventures Nat-ional Senior and Junior Championships belonged to sprint sensation Usain Bolt.

Bolt smashed the 36-year-old record of Donald Quarrie to set a new national mark of 19.75 seconds in the men's 200 metres final at the National Stadium last night. The old record, 19.86, was set by Quarrie at the Pan-American Games in Cali, Colombia, on August 3, 1971.

Among the first to congratulate the 20-year-old was Quarrie.

"It really helped a lot that he was confident that no one in the race could beat him. I am hoping now that he can take the same mentality, with a relaxed attitude, when he runs against a guy like Tyson Gay. He ran an excellent curve and if he keeps it up he will go a lot faster," the 1976 Olympic champion said. Gay ran 19.62 yesterday to win the American title.

A very modest Bolt said he had had the record on his mind for a long time.

"I have really been working very hard all season. The last time I saw Quarrie was in Lausanne and I missed the record. I told him then that next time he won't be so lucky." On July 11 last year in Lausanne, Switzerland, Bolt clocked 19.88 seconds just two-hundredths of a second outside Quarrie's record.

Chris Williams was second in 20.24, while Clement Campbell ran a season best 20.29 for third.

The men's 400 metres final brought the meet to an exciting end. Sanjay Ayre powered past the fancied pair of Michael Blackwood and NCAA champion Ricardo Chambers to take the title. Ayre won in 45.07 from Blackwood 45.15 and Chambers, 45.34.

Photo finish

Novlene Williams won the women's race in 50.06 with Shericka Williams and Shereefa Lloyd hitting the line together in 51.02. Shericka got the edge from the photo-finish camera.

Veronica Campbell came with a terrific late run in the last 20 metres to catch and beat rising star Kerron Stewart in the women's 200 metres in 22.39. The time was a season's best for the 2004 Olympic champion who completed the sprint double at the meet following her 100m win on Saturday night.

Stewart crossed the line in 22.51 with Sheri-Ann Brooks third in 22.78.

Campbell who was satisfied with her performance at the meet said it was important that she kept her composure during the race.

"I just had to be patient and allow my momentum to bring me through," she said. "Kerron has been running great as she is just coming off the NCAA season."

Kenia Sinclair, winner of the 1500m in 4:19.93 on Saturday, also completed a middle distance double yesterday taking the 800m in 1:59.11 from Guyanese guest competitor Mariann Burnett, 1:59.84. Ysanne Williams was third in 2:02.85.

Aldwyn Sappleton ran a powerful last 100m to register an easy victory in the men's 800m. Sappleton tracked leader Andre Drummond for just under 700 metres before going clear at the top of the straight to clock 1:47.11. Drummond held on for second in 1:48.86 with Evan Allen third in 1:49.68.

Rettie and bell take gold

In other finals completed yesterday, Kateema Rettie won the javelin with a throw of 54.95m from Chrystal Bell with a best of 37.94m. Peaches Roach won the high jump with a leap of 1.81m.

The women's 100m hurdles final was won by Delloreen Ennis London in 12.62 from Vonette Dixon 12.80. Pre-meet favourite Brigitte Foster-Hylton did not face the starter in the semi-final heats. Reports are that she is injured but the true nature of the injury could not be ascertained at press time.

In finals completed on Saturday night, Veronica Campbell and Asafa Powell captured the men's and women's 100 metres. Campbell took the women's event in a world-leading 10.89 seconds from Kerron Stewart, a personal best 11.03, and Sheri-Ann Brooks, also in a personal best 11.05.

Powell overcame an injury scare to take the men's event in 10.04. Clement Campbell was a surprising second in 10.10 and Nesta Carter third in 10.11. Steve Mullings was fourth in 10.18 and former national champion Dwight Thomas sixth in 10.25.

Trecia Smith, the 2005 World Champion and last year's Commonwealth Games winner, easily captured the women's triple jump on Saturday with a best leap of 14.35m. After her victory, Smith said it would take a lot more to repeat at the World Championships in Osaka.

National champion Trecia Smith takes part in the triple jump.

Asafa Powell lies on the ground following his 100m race. It is suspected Powell was troubled by his groin. - Ricardo Makyn photos