Personal best, world-class performances power Jamaica’s charge at Ed Murphey Classic

Jamaica celebrated two standout victories as Kadrian Goldson and Olympic discus champion Roje Stona produced commanding performances at Friday’s Ed Murphey Classic, a World Athletics Continental Tour Silver meeting at the Billy Murphy Track Complex in Memphis, Tennessee.

Goldson delivered the race of his career in the men’s 100 meters, while Stona reinforced his credentials as one of the world’s premier throwers, leading a series of impressive Jamaican performances across the sprinting, middle-distance, jumps, and throws events.

Goldson smashes PB, climbs world rankings

Goldson announced himself among the season’s elite sprinters with a stunning personal-best 9.89 seconds, aided by a legal 1.9 meters per second wind, to capture the men’s 100-meter title.

The performance erased his previous lifetime best of 9.94 seconds, established in 2023, and elevated him into a tie for fifth-fastest performer in the world this season.

Americans Ronnie Baker and Courtney Lindsey battled for the remaining podium places, each crossing the line in 9.93 seconds.

Stona delivers another winning performance

Olympic champion Roje Stona continued his consistent run of form by claiming the men’s discus title with a winning throw of 63.56 meters.

His effort comfortably outdistanced American Brian Williams, who finished second with 63.09 meters, while fellow American Reggae Jagers III secured third after reaching 62.77 meters.

Jamaica’s Chad Wright also featured in the competition, placing sixth with a best mark of 60.08 meters.

Watson produces season’s best in competitive quarter-mile

Former World Championships gold medalist Antonio Watson continued his steady return to top form by clocking a season-best 44.70 seconds in the men’s 400 meters.

Watson finished runner-up behind Nigeria’s NCAA champion Samuel Ogazi, who won in 44.57 seconds, while Grenada’s Kirani James completed the top three in 45.04 seconds.

Nelson narrowly denied in 100-meter thriller

Kemba Nelson came within a stride of victory in an exciting women’s 100-meter final before American Tamari Davis edged ahead at the finish.

Davis stopped the clock at a wind-assisted 10.89 seconds (2.1 m/s), with Nelson just behind in 10.91 seconds. American McKenzie Long claimed third in 10.95 seconds, while Jamaica’s Sabrina Dockery finished seventh in 11.10 seconds.

Cameron continues impressive rise

National shot put champion Lloydricia Cameron added another milestone to an already impressive season by producing a new personal best of 18.82 meters.

Her latest improvement surpassed the 18.77-meter mark she achieved earlier this year and earned her second place in the competition.

Sweden’s Axelina Johansson secured victory with 18.90 meters, while American Adelaide Aquilla finished third after throwing 18.66 meters.

Strong Jamaican presence across the meet

Ashanti Moore collected third place in the women’s 200 meters after running a wind-assisted 22.10 seconds, while compatriot Niesha Burgher finished sixth in 22.44 seconds.

Nigeria’s Favour Ofili dominated the event in 21.74 seconds (2.8 m/s), with McKenzie Long taking second in 22.01 seconds.

Veteran middle-distance runner Natoya Goule-Toppin added another podium finish to her résumé, placing second in the women’s 800 meters with a time of 2:00.50 minutes. St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ Shafiqua Maloney won convincingly in 1:58.72 minutes, and American Honour Finley was third in 2:01.17 minutes.

In the women’s long jump, Shantae Foreman secured third place with a wind-assisted leap of 6.51 meters (2.8 m/s). Nigeria’s Ruth Osoro captured the title with 6.76 meters (2.6 m/s), while Trinidad and Tobago’s Tyra Gittens-Spotsville finished second after jumping 6.70 meters (2.5 m/s).

Shaquena Foote returned to competition following a layoff of just over a month and produced an encouraging fourth-place finish in the women’s 400 meters, clocking 51.71 seconds. Leah Anderson crossed the line eighth in 52.37 seconds.

Meanwhile, national champion Christopher Taylor placed sixth in the men’s 200 meters, recording a wind-assisted 20.02 seconds (3.9 m/s) to round out another productive outing for the Jamaican contingent.