Jamaica’s charge at the 2025 Tokyo World Athletics Championships began with mixed fortunes on Saturday, but the sprinters ensured the black, green, and gold flew high.
All of Jamaica’s men’s and women’s 100m athletes advanced smoothly to the semi-finals, anchoring a promising start to the campaign.
Historic breakthrough in the discus
The nation also celebrated a milestone moment through Samantha Hall, who etched her name in history as the first Jamaican woman to reach a World Championship final in the discus throw. Hall, competing in Group B, launched a best effort of 63.32m, good enough for sixth in her section and 10th overall. “It feels incredible to make the final. I’ve worked hard for this, and to be the first from Jamaica in this event is truly special,” she reflected. Serbia’s Sandra Elkasevic topped the qualifiers with 66.72m.
The women’s 100m was a showcase of poise and pedigree. National champion Tina Clayton breezed through Heat 2 in 11.01 seconds, ahead of Great Britain’s Dina Asher-Smith. Shericka Jackson, appearing untroubled, posted 11.04 seconds in her heat but was edged by defending champion Sha’Carri Richardson at 11.03 seconds.
The evergreen Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce also advanced, clocking 11.09 seconds for second in Heat 7 behind Ivory Coast star Marie-Josée Ta Lou-Smith (11.05).
Yet, the evening’s sharpest statements came from elsewhere. St. Lucian Olympic champion Julien Alfred scorched Heat 4 in 10.93 seconds, the fastest time of the day, while American standout Melissa Jefferson-Wooden looked commanding with a smooth 10.99 seconds.
Men’s 100m: Drama and dominance
On the men’s side, Oblique Seville gave Jamaican fans a brief scare after a sluggish start left him chasing South Africa’s Gift Leotlefa, who blazed to 9.87 seconds. Seville dug deep to salvage third in 9.93 seconds and secure a place in Sunday’s semi-final.
Kishane Thompson underlined his growing reputation by destroying his heat in 9.95 seconds, even while visibly easing off. Ackeem Blake also impressed, clocking 10.07seconds for second behind defending champion Noah Lyles, who powered to 9.95 seconds.
Relays falter, middle distance disappointments
Not all was triumphant. Jamaica’s mixed 4x400m relay quartet of Jevaughn Powell, Dejanae Oakley, Zandrion Barnes, and Leah Anderson faltered badly, finishing eighth in their heat in a flat 3:13.96 minutes, ranking only 13th overall. The United States later stormed to gold in a Championship Record 3:08.80 minutes, with the Netherlands and Belgium filling the podium.
In the middle distances, Adelle Tracey bowed out of the women’s 1500m after finishing 13th of 14 in her heat (4:11.87). Well off her personal best, she placed 46th overall and will now turn her attention to the 800m. In the women’s long jump, Ackelia Smith also made an early exit with an insufficient 6.34m, well off the qualifying mark of 6.75m, which was attained by only four athletes.
Injury blows for Jamaican squad
The team was further hit by injury withdrawals. Women’s 100m hurdles national champion Megan Tapper pulled out of her event due to a hamstring injury, joining 400m hurdler Rushell Clayton, who had already been forced to withdraw.
Looking ahead
With the 100m semi-finals and finals looming, Jamaica’s sprinters will look to keep momentum rolling into Day Two. Sunday’s schedule also features the men’s and women’s 400m heats, men’s 1500m, and men’s high jump among other events.
