National record holder Ackera Nugent extended her impressive streak on the European circuit with another win in the women’s 100m hurdles at a World Athletics Continental Tour Gold meet in Zagreb, Croatia on Sunday.
Nugent, who is preparing for the Diamond League finals in Brussels, clocked 12.55 seconds into a headwind of -0.5m/s to dominate the field. Great Britain’s Cindy Sember secured second place with a time of 12.67 seconds, while former world record holder Kendra Harrison of the United States finished third in 12.78 seconds. Jamaica’s Britany Anderson, the former national record holder, placed sixth in 12.91 seconds.
Nugent’s performance in Zagreb follows her recent victories at Diamond League meets in Rome and Silesia, positioning her as a strong favourite for this weekend’s Diamond League finals in Brussels.
Jamaican success at Zagreb
Jamaican athletes continued to shine at the Zagreb meet, with two other wins coming in the women’s 400m and the men’s long jump.
Stacey Ann Williams, a semi-finalist in the 400m at the Paris Olympic Games, delivered a personal best of 50.00 seconds to capture the one-lap event. Norway’s Henriette Jaeger finished second in 50.22 seconds, while Shamier Little of the United States claimed third with 50.58 seconds. Williams led from the front, maintaining her advantage off the final bend and holding off a strong challenge from Jaeger.
Jamaica’s third victory came in the men’s long jump, where Shawn-D Thompson claimed the title with a leap of 7.99m. He tied with Uzbekistan’s Anvier Anvaron, but Thompson was awarded the win on countback. Croatia’s Roko Farhas rounded out the top three with a jump of 7.90m.
Other Jamaican highlights
Natoya Goule-Toppin finished second in the women’s 800m, clocking 1:57.43 minutes. She was narrowly beaten by Kenya’s Nelly Chepchirchir, who won in 1:57.00 minutes.
Shashalee Forbes took the runner-up spot in the women’s 100m, finishing in 11.23 seconds. Gambia’s Maria Bass Bittaye claimed victory in 11.13 seconds, while American Jenna Prandini placed third in 11.30 seconds.
Hansle Parchment, the Olympic gold medallist in the 110m hurdles, secured third place in his event with a time of 13.25 seconds. Japan’s Rachid Muratake won in 13.14 seconds, followed by Daniel Roberts of the United States with 13.15 seconds.
Rajindra Campbell continued his strong season with a third-place finish in the men’s shot put, recording a throw of 22.31m. Olympic champion Ryan Crouser of the United States won the event with 22.93m.
Roje Stona, the Olympic discus champion, finished fourth in the men’s discus with a throw of 65.93m.
