Some mouth-watering clashes are on tap at the 2021 USATF Golden Games and Distance Open at Mt Sac in Walnut, California on Sunday, May 9.

Chief among the match-ups is the Women’s 100m that will feature world-leader Sha’Carri Richardson of the United States and Jamaica’s Briana Williams, who both will be running their second 100m races this season.

Richardson, whose 10.72 at the Miramar South Florida Invitational last month, has been the buzz among track and field aficionados for the past few weeks. The outspoken American will be tested by a star-studded line-up that includes Olympic gold medalists Veronica Campbell-Brown and Tiana Bartoletta and veterans like Jenna Prandini, English Gardner, Morolake Akinosun.

Briana Williams, who ran 11.29 in Oregon two weeks ago, will be hoping for a better showing as she begins in earnest her quest for a spot on Jamaica’s team to the Olympic Games this summer. A faster time would indicate that she is near full readiness to take on Jamaica’s best at the national championships at the end of June. Her mettle will be tested by the quality line-up.

There is also a promise of electrifying action in the Women’s 200m when Shaunae Miller-Uibo, who ran a world leading 22.03 a couple weeks ago, takes on Olympic champion Allyson Felix, who will be opening her season in the half-lap sprint.

The event will have some extra spice in the form of fast-rising American youngster Candice Hill as well as Kaylin Whitney and Gabby Thomas.

The men’s event will boast Trinidad and Tobago’s Jereem Richards who, fresh off his season best 20.26 in Oregon a fortnight ago, will go up against the likes of Noah Lyles and his brother Josephus in the 200m as well as the talented US teenager Erriyon Knighton.

The 100m hurdles is also stacked with talent.

World record holder Kendra Harrison will go head to head against Olympic medalist Dawn Harper-Nelson, who is making a comeback to the sport after a retirement and pregnancy and the talented Queen Harrison.

HARPER-NELSON MAKING PREGNANCY COMEBACK

The field also includes Bahamian Pedra Seymour and 2019 World Championship 400m hurdles silver medalist Sydney McLaughlin. The extremely quick Sharika Nelvis is also included in the line-up.

The men’s 400m hurdles will feature two of the four fastest men in the world over the past few years – Rai Benjamin, the 2019 World Championship silver medalist and Kyron McMaster from the British Virgin Islands, the 2018 Commonwealth Games champion.

Jamaica’s Kemar Mowatt has also been included in the line-up as well as the talented young Brazilian Alison Dos Santos.

Trinidad and Tobago’s Macel Cedenio and Deon Lendore as well as Jamaica’s Javon Francis will represent the Caribbean in the 400m that will also have US star Michael Norman, the 2019 NCAA Champion, who has a personal best of 43.45