Jamaica endured a day of highs and lows on the penultimate day of competition at the World Athletics Championships, with heartbreak in the relays offset by a national record on the track.
The biggest disappointment came in the men’s 4×100 metres relay, where the quartet of Ackeem Blake, Oblique Seville, Ryiem Forde and Kishane Thompson failed to advance to the final. Disaster struck when the baton exchange between Forde and Thompson never materialised, sending the stick crashing to the track and ending Jamaica’s medal hopes in dramatic fashion.
The women’s team, however, restored some pride. Jodean Williams, Tia Clayton, Tina Clayton and Jonielle Smith clocked a season’s best 41.80 seconds to win heat one and secure their place in the final.
In the men’s 4×400 metres, Bovel McPherson, Jevaughn Powell, Jasauna Dennis and Delano Kennedy produced a season-best 2:59.13 to qualify as one of the fastest losers. The women’s quartet of Dejanea Oakley, Stacey-Ann Williams, Roneisha McGregor and Nickisha Pryce impressed with 3:22.77, earning automatic qualification for their final.
There was also a moment of individual brilliance as Navasky Anderson delivered a gallant run in the men’s 800 metres final, clocking a new national record of 1:42.76 to finish seventh. Kenya’s Emmanuel Wanyonyi took gold in a championship record 1:41.86.
In the field, it was a tough outing for Jamaica’s discus throwers. National record holder Ralford Mullings managed just 56.82m, finishing 35th overall and well short of the medal round. Chad Wright (62.87m) and Fedrick Dacres (60.54m) also failed to advance. In the women’s shot put, Lloydrica Cameron bowed out at the qualification stage, her best throw of 17.77m good enough for 16th overall.
