1 month ago
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FANS INSIDE the National Stadium were treated to a spectacle at the JAAA National Senior and Junior Championships last night with fireworks in the women’s and men’s 100 metres finals.
Tina Clayton was crowned the new national women’s champion, winning in a personal best 10.81 seconds. Defending champion Shericka Jackson finished second in a season’s best 10.88, while 38-year-old Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce turned back the clock to take third in a season’s best 10.91. Jodean Williams ended fourth in 11.02, Joniel Smith was fifth in 11.06, with Alana Reid closing out the top six in 11.13. There was disappointment for Tina’s twin sister Tia as after qualifying for the final with a personal best 10.86 she pulled up mid-race and did not finish.
In the men’s event, defending champion Kishane Thompson won with a personal best, stadium record and world-leading 9.75. Oblique Seville, who seemed to have had some discomfort at the start that delayed the race, finished second in a personal best 9.83. There was also a personal best for the fast-starting Ackeem Blake, who clocked 9.88 for third. Fourth was Ryiem Forde in 10.04, fifth went to Rohan Watson in 10.04.
Earlier defending women’s 400m champion Nickisha Pryce was the fastest qualifier for the final after winning her semifinal heat in 50.51 seconds. Leah Anderson was second in a season’s best 51.03, with Shaquane Foote third in 51.44 – all securing automatic qualification.
In a very close finish to the second semifinal, Dejanea Oakley clocked 51.05 to edge out Stacy-Ann Williams, who was second in 51.12, with Roneisha McGregor third in 52.12, all earning automatic spots in the final. Candice McLeod, fourth in heat one with 52.43, and Joanne Reid, fourth in heat two with 52.50, also advanced to the final.
It was also close in the three semifinals of the men’s 400m. Jevaughn Powell, the 2022 champion, led the way after winning heat three in a season’s best 44.90. Delano Kennedy, who was second in a personal-best 44.97 – his first time under 45 seconds – is the second-fastest qualifier.
National record holder Rusheen McDonald dominated heat one, winning comfortably in 45.18 ahead of defending champion Deandre Watkin, 45.68, for automatic qualification. World champion Antonio Watson failed to finish.
Former champion Sean Bailey was best in heat two, winning in 45.38 ahead of Zandrian Barnes, second in 45.54, as both advanced.
Also advancing to tomorrow’s final are Bovel McPherson, third in heat three with 45.21s, and Shaemar Uter, fourth in heat three with 45.65.
In the first senior final on the track, Adelle Tracey retained her 2023 title in the women’s 1500m, clocking 4:17.80. Gabrielle Williamson was second in 4:19.30, with Jodian Walker third in 5:51.60.
Dylan DeCambre, representing Virginia Tech, won the men’s event comfortably in 3:46.59, ahead of Amini Whittle of Pure Luv Running Track, second in 3:52.72. Navasky Anderson was third in 4:06.65.
In the field events, Romaine Beckford ruled supreme in the men’s high jump, winning with a height of 2.25m. Raymond Richards was second, also with 2.25m, while Zayne Palomino of the University of Mississippi was third with 2.15m.
Action on today’s third and penultimate day will get under way at 10:30 a.m. with the preliminary round of the men’s 200m, while the women will contest their semifinals at 5:35 p.m.
Today’s schedule features eight senior finals – four on the track and four in the field. The women’s triple jump final will start at 4:10 p.m., followed by the women’s shot put at 4:55 p.m. The men’s shot put final will begin at 5:45 p.m., with the men’s discus final set for 5:50 p.m.
Track finals will kick off at 7:45 p.m. with the men’s 800m, followed by the women’s 800m at 7:50 p.m.
English (US) ·