Jamaican athletes will be in the spotlight this Saturday at the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, Oregon, with Olympic silver medalist Kishane Thompson and World Relays bronze medalist Tina Clayton leading a formidable contingent at Hayward Field.
Thompson, the newly crowned Jamaican national champion, enters the meet as the world’s fastest man this season after clocking a stunning 9.75 seconds to win the men’s 100 meters at the National Championships. He headlines a loaded field that includes compatriot Akeem Blake, Americans Christian Coleman and Trayvon Bromell, South Africa’s Bayanda Walaza, Great Britain’s Zharnel Hughes, and Welsh sprinter Jeremiah Azu.
On the women’s side, Clayton will face one of her toughest tests yet in the 100 meters. The national champion lines up against a stellar field featuring Olympic champion Julian Alfred, reigning world champion Sha’Carri Richardson, world leader Melissa Jefferson-Wooden of the United States, and Ivorian sprint star Marie-Josée Ta Lou-Smith.
Jamaica’s Bryan Levell, a two-time national champion, will contest the 200 meters against reigning Olympic champion Letsile Tebogo of Botswana and American world leader Kenny Bednarek, a two-time Olympic silver medalist.
In the women’s 400 meters, rising star Dejanea Oakley will carry Jamaican hopes, while Assinie Wilson and Malik James-King, second and third at the Jamaican Championships, will compete in the men’s 400m hurdles.
The women’s 100m hurdles will see two-time world champion Danielle Williams go head-to-head with World Indoor bronze medalist Ackera Nugent.
In field events, Olympic finalist Roje Stona and national champion Ralford Mullings will compete in the men’s discus, while Olympic bronze medalist Rajindra Campbell lines up in the shot put.
Meanwhile, three-time national champion Ackelia Smith will represent Jamaica in the women’s long jump.
