The National Stadium in Kingston roared to life on Saturday night as the Racers Grand Prix delivered a dazzling showcase of speed, power, and resilience.
Olympic medalists, world champions, and budding talents collided on the track and field, sending a resounding message ahead of National Trials and the global stage.
Thompson blazes 9.88 in commanding 100m win
Olympic silver medalist Kishane Thompson reaffirmed his title ambitions with a blistering 9.88 seconds (0.0 m/s) to claim the men’s 100m—his fastest time this season.
Thompson surged ahead early, held his form through the midpoint, and powered to a convincing victory. Oblique Seville, the 2023 winner, showed late-race strength to clock 9.97 seconds, a season’s best, for second, while South Africa’s Gift Leotlela finished third in 10.04 seconds.
In the B final, Sandrey Davison clocked 10.07 seconds (0.8 m/s), a season’s best, to win ahead of Kadrian Goldson (10.10) and Deandre Daley (10.19).
Tina Clayton breaks 11-second barrier again
Double World U-20 champion Tina Clayton stormed back into elite form, running 10.98 seconds (1.8 m/s)—her first sub-11 time since 2022—and tying for sixth-fastest globally this year.
She edged out American Jacious Sears (11.04), while 2024 World U-20 champion Alana Reid placed third in 11.16 seconds, both posting season’s bests.
Tina’s twin sister, Tia Clayton, an Olympic finalist, appeared set to surge to the front late in the race before pulling and finishing fifth in 11.24 seconds.
In the B race, Jonielle Smith impressed with a season’s best 11.10 seconds (1.7 m/s). Kasheika Cameron (11.33) and schoolgirl Sabrina Dockery (11.34) rounded out the podium in a tightly contested race.
Broadbell breaks meet record in hurdles showdown
Olympic bronze medalist Rasheed Broadbell delivered one of the night’s most riveting performances, clocking 13.06 seconds in the 110m hurdles—breaking the meet record and tying for the third-fastest in the world this year.
American Trey Cunningham pushed him all the way, finishing second in 13.08 seconds, while compatriot Eric Edwards ran a season’s best 13.40 seconds for third.
American Alia Armstrong continued her strong season by matching the meet record of 12.54 seconds (1.1 m/s) in the women’s 100m hurdles, equaling the mark set by former world record holder Kendra Harrison.
Bahamas’ Devynne Charlton also impressed with a season’s best 12.65 seconds for second, while fellow American Alexandra Webster took third in 12.95 seconds. Jamaica’s Kerrica Hill, a two-time World U-20 champion, finished fourth in a season-best 13.08 seconds.
Bryan Levell rockets to wind-aided 19.79 in men’s 200m
Jamaican national champion Bryan Levell made a statement in the men’s 200m, clocking 19.79 seconds (2.5 m/s, wind-aided) in a dominant performance. In just his second outing at the distance this season, Levell showed frightening speed and control, winning by a daylight.
Christopher Taylor, returning to action after suspension, finished second in 20.39 seconds, with South Africa’s Naeem Jack third in 20.46 seconds.
Shericka Jackson finds her rhythm in the 200m
Two-time world champion Shericka Jackson looked increasingly sharp ahead of nationals, winning the women’s 200m in 22.53 seconds (1.0 m/s). It marked her season’s best, improving on her earlier 22.79 seconds in China.
Canadian Audrey Leduc followed with a national-leading 22.80 seconds, while American Caisja Chandler secured third in 22.92 seconds.
Christopher Bailey continues Kingston reign in 400m
American Christopher Bailey captured his second win on Jamaican soil this season, powering to 44.74 seconds in the men’s 400m. Bailey, who won the event at April’s Grand Slam meet, led from the final bend and never looked back.
Jamaican 20-year-old Delano Kennedy set a new personal best of 45.22 seconds for second, shaving off time from his 2022 mark. In the B final, Jeremy Bembridge took the win in 46.08 seconds, ahead of Wendell Miller (46.55) and Rishane Symister (47.51).
Roshawn Clarke returns in style in 400m hurdles
After a setback in Miami last month, Roshawn Clarke, a World Championship finalist, made a winning return in the men’s 400m hurdles, clocking 48.65 seconds.
He held off a late surge from Assinie Wilson (48.77), while defending national champion Malik James-King claimed third in 48.87, making it a Jamaican sweep of the podium.
Tia-Adana Belle capitalizes on final-hurdle mishap
Barbadian veteran Tia-Adana Belle took advantage of a dramatic stumble by Jamaica’s Sanique Walker at the final barrier to win the women’s 400m hurdles in 55.74 seconds.
Walker, who had led most of the way, still managed a personal best of 55.78 seconds, while American Bianca Stubler claimed third in 56.52.
Cuba’s Velazco triumphs in triple jump
In the field, Davisleydi Velazco of Cuba claimed victory in the women’s triple jump with a leap of 14.26m (-1.9 m/s), delivered on her second attempt after an initial foul.
Jamaican star Ackelia Smith, an Olympic and World finalist, finished second with 13.83m, while Natricia Hooper of Guyana secured third at 13.32m.
American Mylana Hearn placed fourth (13.17m), ahead of Jade-Ann Dawkins, a rising schoolgirl from St. Jago High, who jumped 13.04m
