World gold medallists Oblique Seville and Shericka Jackson were among the sprint stars who produced some quality performances during the first two days of the four-day Jamaican Championships (18-21) in Kingston.
During the first of this season’s two outdoor national championships windows, Seville fulfilled one of his lifelong dreams by becoming the Jamaican 100m champion. In almost perfect sprinting conditions, Seville erased years of frustration with a commanding world-leading run of 9.82 (0.6m/s) to claim the coveted title. As well as being the fastest time in the world so far this year, it is the joint third-quickest performance of his career.
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“It’s funny that I’m the world champion but I had never won a national title,” said a relieved Seville. “It shows that going forward, I’m still the best in the world.”
While celebrating his victory, Seville acknowledged the absence of his main rivals.
“It would have been more fun if Kishane (Thompson) and Bryan (Levell) weren’t absent,” he added, noting that he felt he could have run even faster.
History was made alongside Seville as 19-year-old Gary Card proved his wildcard entry among the seniors was a masterstroke by his management team at MVP. The world U20 4x100m champion ripped up the script with a jaw-dropping finish, clocking 9.93 to clinch second place and improve the national U20 record. The performance also moved him to joint third on the world U20 all-time list.
“Based on my training times, plus how I felt overall, I knew I could go where I’ve never gone before,” said an elated Card, who is open to competing at either the World U20 Championships or the Commonwealth Games this season. “I was excited and glad I did it.
“Running fast is not new to me as I train with the fastest man in the world (Kishane Thompson) and every day he beats me.”
The women’s 100m provided its own share of drama.
Two-time world 200m champion Shericka Jackson, competing in her first 100m of the season, displayed great top-end speed to overhaul world 100m silver medallist Tina Clayton. Jackson won in 10.81 (-0.3m/s) – her fastest time since 2023 – while Clayton equalled her season’s best (10.85) in second. Jonielle Smith was third in a PB of 10.94, completing the MVP top three.
“I just came out here to have some fun tonight,” said Jackson. “It’s an off year and fun year, and I’m having fun, I can’t complain.”
The last two days of the championships saw the continuation of excellent performances.
Antonio Watson, the 2023 world champion, made a remarkable return to form, clocking 44.73 to win the 400m – his fastest time in three years.
“I finally started trusting myself again,” said
Watson. “No matter what happens throughout the race, I just keep on trusting myself and it paid off.”
The ever-reliable Stacey-Ann Williams won her first domestic 400m title in 50.33.
World U20 champion Alana Reid rebounded from her disappointment in the 100m final to capture the 200m title in a lifetime best of 22.29 (1.0m/s). The race for second place was fiercely contested, Lavanya Williams (22.44) narrowly edging out Ashanti Moore (22.45).
The men’s 200m brought the crowd to its feet. Christopher Taylor and Jevaughn Powell, both quarter-milers stepping down in distance, matched each other stride for stride for much of the home straight. Taylor ultimately won in a wind-aided 20.09 (2.5m/s) to Powell’s 20.14.
Demario Prince, the NACAC champion and world indoor finalist, dominated the 110m hurdles final, winning effortlessly in 13.13 – just 0.01 shy of his personal best.
“I was confident coming into this race. I am grateful for the win and look forward to competing at the Commonwealth Games,” he said.
There was a huge upset in the women’s 100m hurdles with Demisha Roswell upstaging overwhelming favourite Megan Simmonds with a flawless run. Roswell ran a PB of 12.40 as Tokyo Olympic bronze medallist Simmonds (12.47) and two-time world U20 champion Kerrica Hill (12.67) completed the podium.
“I knew from the start of the season that I was going to run fast; it was no surprise,” said Roswell. “I saw the personal best coming since LA. I felt it, I knew it, but it was just a matter of when – and today was that day.”
In the men’s 400m hurdles final, Assinie Wilson used his strong momentum off the top bend to power away from the field, winning in 48.91.
Despite fouling on his last four attempts, two-time NCAA champion Ralford Mullings retained his discus title with a second-round effort of 64.31m, ahead of Fedrick Dacres (62.97m).
Elsewhere, 2019 world champion Tajay Gayle saved the best for last as he soared to a season’s best of 8.37m (1.6m/s) in the final round to win the men’s long jump. Romaine Beckford won the men’s high jump with a first-time clearance of 2.25m.
