National record holder Ackera Nugent delivered Jamaica’s lone victory on Thursday as the curtains came down on the second and final day of the Wanda Diamond League Final in Zurich.
Nugent, who has endured a season of fluctuating form, rose to the occasion in the women’s
100m hurdles, storming to her first Diamond League win of 2025 in a season-best 12.30 seconds. The performance was just shy of the meeting record 12.29 seconds set by Nigeria’s Tobi Amusan in 2022. Nugent’s victory secured her the coveted Diamond Trophy along with the US$100,000 cash prize, as the event formed part of the prestigious Diamond+ discipline. Compatriot and world champion Danielle Williams placed fourth in 12.44 seconds.
In the women’s 100m, Olympic finalist Tia Clayton narrowly missed out on a coveted wild card entry to the World Athletics Championships. Clayton, the fastest Jamaican woman this season, clocked 10.84 seconds for second place, finishing behind Olympic champion Julien Alfred of St Lucia, who won in 10.76 seconds.
The men’s equivalent saw defending champion Ackeem Blake settle for third in 9.99 seconds. South Africa’s Akani Simbine snatched second in 9.98 seconds, and the Diamond Trophy in the process, while American Christian Coleman claimed victory with a winning time of 9.97 seconds.
In the field, Olympic gold medallist Roje Stona signalled a return to form in the men’s discus, finishing third with a throw of 67.06m.
It was a tougher outing for other Jamaicans. Olympic silver medallist Shaneika Ricketts managed fifth in the women’s triple jump with 14.35m, while Jordan Scott took fourth in the men’s equivalent at 17.16m. Olympic finalist Romaine Beckford also finished just outside the podium, clearing 2.22m for fourth in the men’s high jump.
