Team Jamaica faced a rough start at the World Under-20 Championships in Lima, Peru, struggling to make a mark in the two finals they competed in on the first day on Tuesday.
Despite early setbacks, there were glimmers of hope with sprinters Alana Reid, Deandre Daley, and Gary Card advancing to Wednesday’s finals of the 100 meters.
In the two finals contested on the opening day, Shaquain Dunn finished ninth in the men’s shot put with 18.92m, and Jamaica’s mixed 4×400-meter relay team comprising Demarco Bennett, Shaniqua Williams, Marcinho Rose and Alliah Baker narrowly missed a podium finish, placing fourth (3:22.74 minutes) behind Australia, Poland, and China.
Top female sprinter
Reid, who entered the competition ranked as the top female sprinter in the 100 meters, comfortably secured her place in the final with a semi-final time of 11.44 seconds, the third-fastest time heading into the championship race. Leading the way were Kishawna Niles from Barbados and Nia Wedderburn Goodison from Great Britain, who both clocked in at 11.39 seconds in their semi-finals. Chelsea Kadiri of Germany claimed victory in the other semi-final, clocking 11.52 seconds, ahead of Adaejah Hodge from the British Virgin Islands, who crossed the line in 11.59.
In the men’s 100 meters, Daley booked his ticket to the final with a strong semi-final performance of 10.34 seconds, placing him as the fourth-fastest qualifier. Card managed to advance with a time of 10.39 seconds, qualifying as one of the fastest runners who didn’t automatically advance.
Meanwhile, Puripal Boonsan of Thailand and South Africa’s Bradley Nkoana shared the top spot in terms of qualifying times, with Bayanda Walaza of South Africa also securing a place in the final with a time of 10.33 seconds.
Notable setback
Jamaica experienced a notable setback when one of its top female sprinters, Thieanna-Lee Terrelong, did not advance past the preliminary round in the 100 meters. Struggling from the start, she finished fourth in her heat with a time of 12.03 seconds.
The field events also posed difficulties for Team Jamaica, as long jumper Rohana Sudlow narrowly missed qualification, finishing 14th overall with a best jump of 5.94 meters. In the women’s discus throw, both Najhada Seymoure and Shamoyea Morris were unable to advance, placing 21st and 28th overall, respectively.
Middle-distance runner Kittian Headley did not progress in the women’s 800 meters, finishing with a time that left her far from qualifying for the next round. Meanwhile, in the men’s triple jump, Chavez Penn advanced to the final by securing the last qualification spot with a leap of 15.32 meters.
As the competition continues, day two will see Jamaican athletes competing in the women’s and men’s 400-meter hurdles, the women’s 400 meters, and the women’s triple jump.
