KOSICE, Slovakia — Jordan Scott’s outstanding season reached another milestone on Wednesday as the Jamaican standout shattered a meet record and secured gold at the JBL Jump Fest, further cementing his status among the world’s elite horizontal jumpers.
Competing in the Elite Men’s event on the World Athletics Continental Tour Silver circuit, Scott unleashed a winning leap of 17.44 meters, a performance that not only earned him top honors but also demolished the previous competition record.
The mark eclipsed the longstanding meet record of 17.20m established in 2023 by Italy’s Andy Garcia, giving Scott his second consecutive victory on Slovak soil.
Momentum builds after career-best performance
Scott arrived in Kosice carrying considerable momentum.
Just two weeks earlier, the 28-year-old produced the finest jump of his career when he soared to a personal-best 17.66m in Puerto Rico. That breakthrough performance signaled that the World Athletics Indoor silver medalist was operating at peak form, and he quickly reinforced that impression with another commanding display.
Although he fell short of his personal best, Scott’s 17.44m proved more than enough to separate himself from a talented field and claim another prestigious title.
Strong competition unable to match Scott’s standard
The Jamaican’s record-breaking effort left the rest of the field battling for the remaining podium positions.
Cuba’s Lazaro Martinez secured second place with a best mark of 16.82m, while Jamaica’s Jaydon Hibbert delivered an encouraging return to international competition to finish third with 16.69m.
For Hibbert, the result carried added significance. The World Under-20 record holder was making his first appearance since the 2024 Olympic Games after an injury-enforced absence, and his podium finish offered a promising indication that he is regaining competitive sharpness.
Jamaican women also make their presence felt
Jamaica enjoyed additional success in the women’s long jump competition, with two athletes finishing among the top four.
Akelia Smith led the Jamaican contingent by placing third with a best effort of 6.50m. Close behind was compatriot Nia Robinson, whose jump of 6.39m secured fourth place.
The event was won by American Monae Nichols, who produced a leap of 6.69m to take gold. France’s Hilary Kpatcha claimed the runner-up position with 6.53m, narrowly edging Smith for second place.
Scott strengthens his position among the world’s best
For Scott, the latest victory represents another significant step in what is becoming one of the most impressive stretches of his career.
Fresh off a personal-best performance and now armed with a new meet record, the Jamaican continues to build momentum on the international circuit. His ability to consistently produce jumps beyond the 17-meter mark has established him as a serious contender whenever he enters competition, and Wednesday’s triumph in Kosice provided further evidence that his form is trending in exactly the right direction.
