Caribbean National Weekly

Jamaican track stars rule Zagreb as records fall across the meet

By Ian Burnett··3 min read
Jamaican track stars rule Zagreb as records fall across the meet
Key Points(5)
  • Elaine Thompson-Herah delivered a statement performance at the Boris Hanzekovic Memorial meet, racing to a meet-record 10.91 seconds in the women’s 100 meters and reminding the sprint world of her championship pedigree.
  • The Jamaican star entered the competition carrying questions about her form and fitness, but those doubts disappeared once the race reached its decisive stage.
  • Trailing early, Thompson-Herah found another gear over the final 20 meters, powering past her rivals to claim victory and rewrite the meet record books.
  • Her winning time erased the previous Zagreb standard of 10.93 seconds, a mark that had stood since 1988.
  • Lyston completes Jamaican sprint sweep on the podium The Jamaican success continued behind Thompson-Herah as countrywoman Brianna Lyston produced an impressive second-place finish.

Elaine Thompson-Herah delivered a statement performance at the Boris Hanzekovic Memorial meet, racing to a meet-record 10.91 seconds in the women’s 100 meters and reminding the sprint world of her championship pedigree.

The Jamaican star entered the competition carrying questions about her form and fitness, but those doubts disappeared once the race reached its decisive stage.

Trailing early, Thompson-Herah found another gear over the final 20 meters, powering past her rivals to claim victory and rewrite the meet record books.

Her winning time erased the previous Zagreb standard of 10.93 seconds, a mark that had stood since 1988.

Lyston completes Jamaican sprint sweep on the podium

The Jamaican success continued behind Thompson-Herah as countrywoman Brianna Lyston produced an impressive second-place finish.

Lyston clocked 10.94 seconds, matching her season’s best, while Poland’s Ewa Swoboda claimed third in a season-best 10.98 seconds.

The result highlighted Jamaica’s strength in the women’s 100 meters and added another major moment to an already memorable meet.

Thompson-Herah’s victory was one of four Jamaican wins at the event, with each coming in a meet-record performance.

Jamaican excellence continues across the track

Fresh from capturing her first national senior title, Stacy-Ann Williams continued her rise by winning the women’s 400 meters in a new meet record of 49.48 seconds.

The performance ranked as the fifth-fastest time in the world this season and the second-fastest by a Jamaican woman this year.

Great Britain’s Yemi Mary John finished second in 50.33 seconds, while Egypt’s Bassant Hemida placed third in 50.77 seconds.

Williams’ victory reinforced Jamaica’s growing depth in the one-lap event.

Clayton dominates hurdles with record run

Another Jamaican champion emerged in the women’s 400m hurdles as Rushell Clayton captured victory in a meet-record 53.54 seconds.

The two-time World Championships bronze medallist produced a composed performance to take control of the race.

Belgium’s Paulien Couckuyt finished second with a personal best 54.32 seconds, while Slovakia’s world leader Emma Zapletalova experienced her first defeat of the season, ending the race fifth in 55.82 seconds.

Campbell leads Jamaican field event charge

Jamaica’s dominance began before the track events even unfolded.

Olympic shot put bronze medallist Rajindra Campbell produced a remarkable winning throw of 22.41 meters during the men’s shot put competition, setting a national record.

The mark also ranked as the third-best performance in the world this season.

Italy’s Leonardo Fabbri placed second with 22.21 meters, while New Zealand’s Tom Walsh finished third with 21.42 meters.

Gayle adds another Jamaican presence in long jump

Jamaica’s Tajay Gayle also reached the podium, securing third place in the men’s long jump with an effort of 8.18 meters.

Uzbekistan’s Anvar Anvarov won the competition with a jump of 8.29 meters.

The meet produced several world-class performances beyond Jamaica’s achievements.

Dominica’s Thea LaFond stole attention in the women’s triple jump, producing a world-leading leap of 15.25 meters to take the title.

World outdoor champion Leyanis Díaz Hernández finished second with 14.75 meters, while Italy’s Dariya Derkach placed third at 14.51 meters.

In the women’s 100m hurdles, American Alysha Johnson claimed victory in a meet-record 12.43 seconds, the same time recorded by compatriot Rayniah Jones, who finished second. Aliah Armstrong completed the American sweep by taking third in 12.51 seconds.

Canada’s Andre De Grasse also impressed, breaking the 20-second barrier in the men’s 200 meters with a winning time of 19.95 seconds.

Zagreb becomes a night of Jamaican statements

With records falling and major names delivering, the Boris Hanzekovic Memorial became a showcase of elite athletics.

For Thompson-Herah, the victory carried special significance.

The 10.91-second run was more than a win, it was a reminder that one of sprinting’s biggest stars remains a force when the biggest moments arrive.

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