Veronica Campbell-Brown - File

The men's 100m showdown between Usain Bolt and Asafa Powell maybe the biggest event, but several other races are expected to go down to the wire at this weekend's National Championships.

In the men's sprints, Bolt looks unstoppable, action in the women's 100m, 200m, 400m, 400m hurdles, 100m hurdles, triple jump, and the men's 400m, 400m hurdles and long jump events are all wide open.

Bolt, the world's fastest man, with world records of 9.69 (100m) and 19.30 (200m), should get the better of Powell, the former 100m record holder in the 100m while it will be no contest in the men's 200m.

However, while Bolt's 9.77 run in Ostrava earlier this month could be used to justify his condition, Powell's readiness is questionable.

"Not 100 per cent (fit), but I am in good enough shape to qualify," Powell responded when asked about his readiness.

aggravated an ankle injury

The sprinter aggravated an ankle injury at the Penn Relays on April 25, which kept him out for a few weeks, but returned for outings at the Reebok Grand Prix (10.10, 7th) and Prefontaine Classic (10.07, 2nd) in May, produced below-par performances.

"The confidence level is there, just not in any big competing attitude," added Powell.

Bolt says he is using the trials to get in shape.

"For me the trials is always a 9.8 run because the aim is to make the team," Bolt said.

"I am trying to run myself into shape, so I think I will be running the 200m harder, because I have not run any 200m all season."

Last year, Bolt, who spent the last 15 metres of the race joking around with Powell, won the event in 9.85,

This year, however, both men could be pushed to the line as more Jamaicans have run their way into the sub-10-second club.

primary aim

Michael Frater, Yohan Blake, Steve Mullings, Marvin Anderson and Dwight Thomas will be in the hunt, although their primary aim could be to battle for third spot. In the women's sprints, Shelly-Ann Fraser and Veronica Campbell-Brown, the Olympic 100m and 200m champions, will have strong competition.

However, Fraser, who had surgery to remove her appendix at the start of April believes she is getting back to her best.

"I am about 90-99 per cent ready," Fraser said.

"I am just looking forward to go out and do my best."

Fraser, however, will not have an easy time, as Olympic silver medallist Kerron Stewart with a world leading time of 10.92, will start as the favourite.

Sherone Simpson, who shared the silver medal with Stewart, Aleen Bailey, Sheri-Ann Brooks and Simone Facey are also strong contenders. Simpson, however, has not run since surgery on her knee last year.

wild card entry

Campbell-Brown, who opted out of the 100m because of her wild-card entry, will be the one to beat in the women's 200m.

The one-lap events are also expected to be competitive. Shericka Williams, the Olympic silver medallist, is expected to start favourite in the women's event, but Novlene Williams and defending Rosemarie White will be no walkovers. Bobby-Gaye Wilkins and Shereefa Lloyd, along with Anastasia Le-Roy, are the other athletes who could spoil the big timers party.

Shericka Williams, Jamaica's leader in 50.58 this season says she is looking for a seasons best.

"I am looking to go out there execute my race properly and hopefully get a season best," she said.

On the men's side, a battle royal is expected with Michael Blackwood, Sanjay Ayre, Ricardo Chambers, Jermaine Gonzales, Allodin Fothergill and Leford Green.

In the 400m hurdles, Danny McFarlane, Isa Phillips, Adrian Findlay, Dean Griffiths and Markino Buckley are the top men.

Olympic champion Melaine Walker, Nickiesha Wilson, Shevon Stoddart and Kaliese Spencer are in for a similar 400m hurdles female battle.

prove their worth

The women's 100m hurdles with Delloreen Ennis-London, Vonette Dixon, Brigitte Foster-Hylton, Lacena Golding-Clarke and Wilson will also be hot. Andrea Bliss and Toni-Ann D'Olyley have been around for some time now and will also want to prove their worth.

In the field, Atlanta's Olympic silver medallist James Beckford (7.97m) will be tested by the young group to be led by Alain Bailey (8.06m), Julian Reid (8.04m), Nicholas Gordon (8.03m, indoor), Herbert McGreggor (7.79m) and Tarik Batchlor (7.82m) in a very competitive long jump.

In the women's triple jump, Trecia Smith, who won the triple jump in Helsinki, will be hard press to beat Williams.

Melaine Walker - File

National Champs Schedule

Session: 1 Friday, June 26, 2009

5:15 p.m. Men 100-metre dash masters finals

5:20 p.m. Men 400-metre dash masters finals

5:30 p.m. Men 1500-metre run masters finals

6:00 p.m. Women discus throw finals

6:00 p.m. Women long jump finals

6:00 p.m. Men javelin throw finals

6:10 p.m. Men 400-metre hurdles prelims

6:20 p.m. Women 800-metre run prelims

6:30 p.m. Men 800-metre run prelims

6:40 p.m. Men 5000-metre run finals

7:10 p.m. Women 100-metre dash prelims

7:25 p.m. men 100-metre dash prelims

7:30 p.m. Men triple jump finals

8:10 p.m. Women 400-metre dash prelims

8:25 p.m. Men 400-metre dash prelims

Session: 2 Saturday, june 27, 2009

5:00 p.m. Men 3000-metre steeplechase finals

5:30 p.m. Women shot put finals

5:30 p.m. Women 400-metre dash semis

5:45 p.m. Men 400-metre dash semis

6:00 p.m. Men high jump finals

6:10 p.m. Women 100-metre dash semis

6:20 p.m. Men 100-metre dash semis

6:30 p.m. Women triple jump finals

7:00 p.m. Men discus throw finals

7:00 p.m. Women 1500-metre run finals

7:10 p.m. Men 1500-metre run finals

7:25 p.m. Women 400-metre hurdles finals

7:30 p.m. Men 400-metre hurdles finals

7:50 p.m. Women 100-metre dash finals

7:55 p.m. Men 100-metre dash finals

session: 3 sunday, june 28, 2009

9:30 a.m Women hammer throw finals

5:15 p.m. Men 110-metre hurdles prelims

5:30 p.m. Women 200-metre dash prelims

5:40 p.m. Men 200-metre dash prelims

6:00 p.m. Women high jump finals

6:00 p.m. Women javelin throw finals

6:10 p.m. Women 800-metre run finals

6:15 p.m. Men 800-metre run finals

6:30 p.m. Men long jump finals

6:30 p.m. Men shot put finals

6:30 p.m. Men 10000-metre run finals

7:10 p.m. Women 100-metre hurdles finals

7:20 p.m. Men 110-metre hurdles finals

7:30 p.m. Women 400-metre dash finals

7:35 p.m. Men 400-metre dash finals

7:50 p.m. Women 200-metre dash finals

7:55 p.m. Men 200-metre dash finals