Levell shines with breakthrough bronze as Jackson settles for third in Tokyo
Key Points(5)
- Jamaica’s medal haul grew on Friday night at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, with two bronze medals added to the tally.
- The evening began with Bryan Levell’s electrifying breakthrough in the men’s 200 meters, where the 21-year-old stormed to a lifetime best of 19.64 seconds.
- Levell’s surge carried him past Botswana’s defending champion Letsile Tebogo in the final strides, sealing third place and his first senior global medal.
- Only the American duo of Noah Lyles (19.52) and Kenny Bednarek (19.58) finished ahead.
- For Levell, it was not just a podium finish but a statement of intent in what already looks like a defining debut season.
Jamaica’s medal haul grew on Friday night at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, with two bronze medals added to the tally.
The evening began with Bryan Levell’s electrifying breakthrough in the men’s 200 meters, where the 21-year-old stormed to a lifetime best of 19.64 seconds.
Levell’s surge carried him past Botswana’s defending champion Letsile Tebogo in the final strides, sealing third place and his first senior global medal. Only the American duo of Noah Lyles (19.52) and Kenny Bednarek (19.58) finished ahead. For Levell, it was not just a podium finish but a statement of intent in what already looks like a defining debut season.
Jackson relinquishes her crown
Moments later, Shericka Jackson—the reigning queen of the women’s 200 meters—was forced to yield her crown. Aiming for a third successive title, Jackson clocked 22.18 seconds but had to settle for bronze.
It was American Melissa Jefferson-Wooden who delivered the shock of the night, blazing to a world-leading 21.68 seconds and becoming the first U.S. woman to sweep both sprints at a single World Championships. Britain’s Amy Hunt stunned the field as well, powering to a surprise silver in 22.14 seconds, edging Jackson on the line.
Drama before the gun
The women’s 200-meter final carried intrigue even before it began. Bahamian sprinter Anthonique Strachan, visibly hindered by a strapped left leg, was disqualified for a false start. Her painful exit cut short any chance of challenging for a medal, leaving the track in frustration and disappointment.
Scott just misses the podium in triple jump
Jamaica’s Jordan Scott produced a leap of 17.21 meters in the men’s triple jump, finishing fifth in a contest that delivered fireworks in its closing moments. Italy’s Andrea Dallavale thrilled with a personal best 17.64m on his final attempt, only for Portugal’s Olympic champion Pedro Pichardo to snatch victory with a dramatic 17.91m world lead on the very last jump. Cuba’s Lázaro Martínez secured bronze with 17.49m, a season’s best.
Bol dominates 400m hurdles; Salmon finishes eighth
The women’s 400m hurdles final proved unforgiving for Jamaica’s Shiann Salmon, who could manage no better than eighth in 52.27 seconds. The race belonged to Dutch sensation Femke Bol, who stormed to a world-leading 51.56 seconds. American Jasmine Jones impressed with a personal best 52.58 seconds for silver, while Emma Zapletalová of Slovakia took bronze in a national record 53.00.
Goule-Toppin’s painful exit
There was more disappointment for Jamaica in the women’s 800m, where veteran Natoya Goule-Toppin, contesting her seventh World Championships, faded after a strong start to finish in 1:59.58 minutes. The result ended her hopes of advancing, underscoring the brutal demands of middle-distance racing at this level.
Jamaica’s medal tally climbs
With Levell’s breakthrough and Jackson’s resilient bronze, Jamaica’s total now stands at eight medals—one gold, four silver, and three bronze. The mix of emerging stars and established champions keeps the island firmly in the global spotlight, its sprinting legacy both honored and renewed.
