National discus thrower Roje Stona claimed victory in the men’s discus event at the World Continental Tour Gold meet held at Drake Stadium in Los Angeles last Saturday.
Stona led from start to finish, securing an easy win with a mark of 66.93 meters. Claudio Romero of Chile took second place with a throw of 64.12 meters, while Brian Williams of the United States finished third with 63.36 meters.
In addition to Stona’s triumph, several other Jamaican athletes delivered strong performances at the meet.
Outstanding performances by Clarke, Knight, and Ricketts
Roshawn Clarke clocked a season’s best time of 48.11 seconds in the 400m hurdles, finishing second behind American Rai Benjamin, who won in a world-leading time of 46.64 seconds. Kyron McMaster of the British Virgin Islands secured third place with a time of 48.57 seconds. Other Jamaican competitors, Malik James-King and Jaheel Hyde, finished sixth and ninth with times of 49.09 and 50.15 seconds, respectively.
Shanieka Ricketts, fresh off her win at the Jamaica Athletics Invitational meet, narrowly missed out on first place in the women’s triple jump, finishing second with a distance of 14.36 meters. World Indoor champion Thea LaFond of Dominica edged Ricketts out with a winning jump of 14.37 meters. Jamaica’s Kimberly Williams placed fifth with a jump of 13.35 meters.
Andrenette Knight also delivered a strong performance, clocking a season’s best of 54.69 seconds in the women’s 400m hurdles, finishing second behind American Anna Cockrell, who won with a season’s best time of 53.75 seconds.
Sprinters and other athletes’ results
In the women’s 100m, Lanae-Tava Thomas was the top Jamaican finisher, placing third with a time of 11.35 seconds. The event was won by Melissa Jefferson of the United States in 11.27 seconds, just ahead of fellow American Marolake Atkinson, who finished second in 11.28 seconds. Other Jamaican competitors included Alana Reid, who finished fifth in 11.36 seconds, Tia Clayton in sixth with 11.47 seconds, and Natasha Morrison in seventh with 11.51 seconds.
There was disappointment for Ackeem Blake in the men’s 100 meters, as he was disqualified for a false start. The event was won by Kyree King of the United States in 10.11 seconds.
In the women’s 400m, Stacy Ann Williams finished fifth with a time of 51.38 seconds. Rajandra Campbell placed sixth in the men’s shot put with a best throw of 21.07 meters.
