Page makes history with record-breaking gold as Jamaica bags three Youth Olympic medals
Key Points(5)
- Jamaica made an emphatic statement at the 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, Senegal, on Monday, capturing three track and field medals, including a historic gold medal from Marquies Page, who rewrote the record books in the boys' 110-meter hurdles.
- Page produced a sensational personal-best 12.95 seconds at Stade Iba Mar Diop to establish a new Youth Olympic Games record and deliver Jamaica's first gold medal of the Games.
- Teammates Kamari Kennedy and Xhaevion Kelly complemented his achievement with silver medals in the boys' discus throw and shot put, respectively.
- The three-medal haul provided Jamaica with an impressive start to its medal campaign, while two additional athletes secured places in Tuesday's finals of the 400-meter hurdles.
- Page turns nerves into a record-breaking performance Despite admitting to feeling nervous before the final, Page delivered when it mattered most, powering across the finish line in 12.95 seconds to claim the title in commanding fashion.
Jamaica made an emphatic statement at the 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, Senegal, on Monday, capturing three track and field medals, including a historic gold medal from Marquies Page, who rewrote the record books in the boys' 110-meter hurdles.
Page produced a sensational personal-best 12.95 seconds at Stade Iba Mar Diop to establish a new Youth Olympic Games record and deliver Jamaica's first gold medal of the Games. Teammates Kamari Kennedy and Xhaevion Kelly complemented his achievement with silver medals in the boys' discus throw and shot put, respectively.
The three-medal haul provided Jamaica with an impressive start to its medal campaign, while two additional athletes secured places in Tuesday's finals of the 400-meter hurdles.
Page turns nerves into a record-breaking performance
Despite admitting to feeling nervous before the final, Page delivered when it mattered most, powering across the finish line in 12.95 seconds to claim the title in commanding fashion.
China's Shinjie Chen finished second in 13.40 seconds, while South Africa's Enrique Bosch secured the bronze in 13.45 seconds.
Page's winning performance represented both a personal best and a new Youth Olympic Games record, making his triumph an especially memorable moment for the Jamaican contingent.
“National record, Youth Olympic record, massive PB: very happy,” Page said in reflecting on his achievement.
The young hurdler acknowledged that competing at this stage of the year presented its own challenges but remained focused on securing victory and improving his personal mark.
“It's difficult to race in November. Very happy with a personal best. At the start, I was really aiming for that win and a PB and crossing the line first,” he said.
Although the occasion brought considerable pressure, Page was able to keep his emotions under control and execute his race plan.
“I was a bit nervous, but I never let that get to me too much. It was all a bit hectic, but I managed to execute my race properly,” he explained.
“There will always be nerves, but I just got to do what I got to do, really,” he added.
Kennedy, Kelly produce personal-best silvers
Jamaica's success extended into the field events, where Kennedy and Kelly both recorded personal bests to secure silver medals.
Kennedy, who reached the final of the World Athletics Under-20 Championships in Eugene, Oregon, in August, produced a superb throw of 66.31 meters with the 1.5-kilogram discus.
The performance represented a substantial improvement on his previous personal best of 61.53 meters, established when he won gold at the NACAC Under-18 Championships in Mexico in July.
Only Egypt's Yahya Sawaby, who claimed gold with 68.23 meters, finished ahead of the Jamaican. Chile's Vittorio Gorziglia took bronze with 56.00 meters.
Kelly was equally impressive in the boys' shot put, registering a personal-best 19.32 meters with the five-kilogram implement to earn silver.
His previous best was 18.60 meters, also achieved at the NACAC Under-18 Championships in Mexico in July.
Brazil's Henrico Souza Pyetro captured gold with 19.79 meters, while South Africa's Darius Botha secured bronze with 19.23 meters.
Page promises more success for Jamaica
For Page, however, the significance of his victory extended beyond the record and the medal. Becoming Jamaica's first gold medalist in Dakar was a moment of considerable personal and national pride.
“It's a great feeling, very great. It means a lot to me,” he said.
The teenager also embraced the responsibility of representing Jamaica on the international stage, expressing confidence that his breakthrough would be followed by further success.
“It's a lot of responsibility to compete for Jamaica. There are a lot more gold medals in the future. I will be better,” Page declared.
His response was considerably more lighthearted when asked about his experience in Senegal, particularly the conditions confronting the athletes.
“The heat, it's very hot. Hotter than Jamaica, by far,” he joked.
Campbell, Harris advance to hurdle finals
Jamaica's prospects of adding to its medal collection received another boost with Jaeden Campbell and Sheneca Harris qualifying for Tuesday's 400-meter hurdles finals.
Campbell produced the fastest performance of the boys' semifinal round, winning his heat in 51.73 seconds to book his place in the final.
Harris also secured advancement in the girls' event, finishing fifth in her semifinal in 1:00.78 minutes to claim one of the available final places.
With Page already delivering a record-breaking gold and Kennedy and Kelly adding two silver medals, Jamaica will head into Tuesday's action encouraged by a productive opening day of competition.
