1 week ago
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NATIONAL CHAMPION Tyrice Taylor is the latest Jamaican to attain the qualification standard for the World Championships, as he ran the race of his life yesterday to finish third in the men’s 800 metres in 1:43.74, surpassing the automatic standard of 1:44.50 to book his ticket to Tokyo.
Taylor, in posting his new personal best, is also the new national record holder in the event, as he surpassed the previous mark of 1:44.40 held by Navasky Anderson. Anderson finished fourth in 1:44.18 for a new personal best.
The event was won by Handal Roban of St Vincent in 1:42.87, ahead of Brandon Miller of the United States, second in 1:43.74.
Roban’s time is a new record, breaking the previous best of 1:45.79, set by American Ryan Martin in 2015.
Jamaica picked up eight medals yesterday – four silver and four bronze – to bring their tally to 15 after securing seven on Friday’s opening day.
Nayoka Clunis won a silver medal in the morning session yesterday after producing a distance of 69.30m for second place in the women’s hammer throw.
There were also silver medals later in the day for Sanique Walker, Malik James-King, and Christopher Taylor.
Walker copped second in the women’s 400m hurdles after clocking 54.94, with countrywoman Janieve Russell finishing seventh in 56.58. Tia Adana Belle of Barbados won the event in 53.67, with Yara Amater Aldaba of Mexico, third in 55.55.
Silver and bronze
There was silver and bronze for Jamaica in the men’s 400m hurdles, as Malik James-King finished second in 48.28 and Assinie Wilson, third in 48.75. CJ Allen of the United States won the event in 48.28 to take gold.
Christopher Taylor was the other silver medallist on the day for Jamaica. Taylor, who is seeking to attain the qualifying standard of 20.18 in the men’s 200m for Tokyo, failed in his latest bid. He ended second in 20.32, behind Aaron Brown of Canada, who won the event in 20.27, while Jose Figueroa of Puerto Rico was third in 20.53. Jamaica’s Kadrian Goldson ended seventh in 20.88.
Kellyann Beckford and Gabrielle Matthews both ended third in their events but failed to hit the qualifying mark for Tokyo.
Beckford, the national champion in the women’s 800m, clocked 2:00.07 in the event. Matthews, who was second in the women’s 200m at the National Championships, placed third yesterday in 23.02, with countrywoman Roneisha McGregor, seventh in 23.38.
The three-day meet will come to an end today with competition in the evening session starting at 3:30. Events include the women’s and men’s 400m finals. Rusheen McDonald and Delano Kennedy will be hoping to hit the qualifying standard in the men’s event. In the women’s 400m, Nickisha Pryce will start favourite for gold.
Olympic Games 400m silver medallist Shanieka Ricketts will be in action in the women’s triple jump, while Lloydricia Cameron will contest the women’s shot put.
- Raymond Graham
English (US) ·