Racing for riches! Grand Slam series crowns first four $100K champions
Key Points(5)
- Kingston, Jamaica — An electric atmosphere, fierce battles on the track, and life-changing victories marked Day Two of the <a href="https://www.caribbeannationalweekly.com/sports/races-roar-stands-whisper-grand-slam-track-launches-with-fire-and-fizz/">Grand Slam Track</a> Series.
- From sprints to distance showdowns, the National Stadium roared with the energy of elite athleticism and history in the making.
- <h2>Four inaugural Grand Slam Track Champions</h2> As the sun dipped over Kingston on Saturday, four athletes etched their names into Grand Slam lore.
- Matthew Hudson-Smith, Diribe Welteji, Kenny Bednarek, and Gabby Thomas emerged as the first-ever Slam Champions, walking away with glory, legacy—and US$100,000 each.
- In a nail-biting finale, Matthew Hudson-Smith of Great Britain claimed the series' first-ever Slam Champion title, edging out Trinidad & Tobago's Jereem Richards with a time of 20.77 seconds.
Kingston, Jamaica — An electric atmosphere, fierce battles on the track, and life-changing victories marked Day Two of the Grand Slam Track Series.
From sprints to distance showdowns, the National Stadium roared with the energy of elite athleticism and history in the making.
Four inaugural Grand Slam Track Champions
As the sun dipped over Kingston on Saturday, four athletes etched their names into Grand Slam lore. Matthew Hudson-Smith, Diribe Welteji, Kenny Bednarek, and Gabby Thomas emerged as the first-ever Slam Champions, walking away with glory, legacy—and US$100,000 each.
In a nail-biting finale, Matthew Hudson-Smith of Great Britain claimed the series' first-ever Slam Champion title, edging out Trinidad & Tobago's Jereem Richards with a time of 20.77 seconds. The sprint was tight, with Richards clocking 20.81 and Jamaica’s own Deandre Watkins finishing third in 20.91.
Hudson-Smith’s consistency across both days—second in Friday’s 400m, then victorious in the 200m—secured him 20 points, ahead of American Christopher Bailey (16 points). Richards and Vernon Norwood tied for third overall with 11 points.
“Obviously, you’re racing the best in the world and to come back on top, it’s a great feeling,” Hudson-Smith shared. “I came in not really knowing what to expect, but it’s amazing. Honestly, I encourage all athletes out there to try it.”
Diribe Welteji clinches title in distance duel
In the women’s 1500m, Ethiopia’s Diribe Welteji stormed to victory with a powerful surge, clocking 4:04.51 minutes, capturing the crown with 20 points. Her runner-up finish in the 800m on Friday set her up perfectly for Saturday’s close.
American Nikki Hiltz finished third in the 1500m but claimed second overall (18 points), while Kenya’s Susan Lokayo Ejore earned 12 points with her impressive second-place performance in 4:05.10.
Bednarek dominates the sprints and the series
Kenny Bednarek stood alone as the only competitor to claim back-to-back victories, winning both the 100m and 200m sprints. After his upset on Friday, Bednarek confidently silenced the field again on Saturday, coasting to a 20.07-second finish in the 200m.
His dominance earned him the maximum 24 points, a perfect sweep—and a six-figure payday.
“I said I wanted to dominate and that’s what I did,” Bednarek beamed. “I came out and made 100K. This is a life-changing moment. Let’s keep rolling.”
Behind him, Great Britain’s Zharnel Hughes placed second in the 200m (20.37s) to secure second overall with 14 points. Jamaica’s Oblique Seville, second in Friday’s 100m, ended third with 12 points after placing fifth in the 200m.
Gabby Thomas fights tooth and nail to victory
Gabby Thomas, a beacon of power and resilience, delivered two standout performances in the women’s 400m sprints. Though finishing second on Saturday behind Bahrain’s Salwa Eid Naser (a blazing 48.67, season’s best), Thomas’s personal best 49.14 secured her 20 total points—and the championship.
“This was a really important meet for me,” said Thomas. “I heard the announcer the entire way that the 100k was on the line, so I really had to fight tooth and nail for that.”
Naser (17 points) and Dominican Republic’s Marileidy Paulino (14 points) rounded out the top three.
Other victors light up the track
Saturday wasn’t just about the Slam Champions. Several other athletes left their mark on Kingston:
- Dylan Beard edged out France’s Sasha Zhoya and Freddie Crittenden in a razor-thin 110m hurdles finish: 13.29 seconds.
- Tia Jones led a U.S. 1-2 in the women’s 100m hurdles with 12.63 seconds, just ahead of Jamaica’s Danielle Williams.
- Melissa Jefferson blazed to 11.11 seconds in the women’s 100m, leading an American podium sweep.
- Emmanuel Wanyonyi of Kenya showcased tactical brilliance in the men’s 1500m, winning in 3:35.18 minutes.
Eight more Champions, $800K on the line
With Saturday in the books, Sunday promises a blockbuster finale. Eight more athletes will be crowned Grand Slam Track Champions, each racing for US$100,000 in what’s set to be a fierce battle for supremacy.
The day kicks off with high school 4x100m and 4x400m relay excitement, followed by a Meet & Greet with the pros at 1:15 PM. Fans will also enjoy live performances from Vanessa Bling, Teejay, and DJ Skribble, adding Jamaican flavor to the track fire.
The elite race slate features stars like Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, Ejgayehu Taye, Grant Fisher, and Dylan Beard, with the Slam Champions Celebration Ceremony scheduled for 4:30 PM.
