After two electrifying days of competition at the NACAC Championships in The Bahamas, Jamaica has secured 18 medals—six gold, five silver, and seven bronze—placing them second on the table heading into Sunday’s final day.
The United States leads with 22 medals (12 gold, eight silver, and two bronze), while the host nation, The Bahamas, sits third with five medals, including three gold.
For much of Saturday, Jamaica held the upper hand, briefly leading the Americans six gold to five, before the USA surged back to close the day in front. The battle between the two regional powerhouses now sets the stage for a thrilling conclusion.
Silver and bronze pile up
Jamaica added depth to its medal tally with a string of silver and bronze medals across the track and field.
Christopher Taylor captured silver in the men’s 200m, clocking 20.32 seconds—just shy of the qualifying mark of 20.16 seconds. Canada’s Aaron Brown edged him for gold in 20.27 seconds, while Puerto Rico’s Jose Figueroa took bronze in 20.53 seconds. Kadrian Goldson of Jamaica finished seventh in 20.88 seconds.
In the men’s 400m hurdles, Jamaica secured a silver–bronze double: Malik James-King (48.28secs) placed second, with Assinie Wilson (48.75secs) third. The event went to American CJ Allen, who won in 48.22 seconds.
Sanique Walker earned silver in the women’s 400m hurdles, clocking 54.94 seconds, while teammate Janieve Russell finished seventh in 56.58 seconds. The gold went to Barbados’ Tia-Adana Belle in 54.67 seconds.
Nayoka Clunis added another silver in the women’s hammer throw, with a distance of 69.30m.
In the women’s 200m, Gabrielle Matthews picked up bronze with a time of 23.02 seconds, behind Bahamian Antonique Strachan’s 22.77 seconds. Roneisha McGregor was seventh in 23.38 seconds.
Kelly-Ann Beckford, Jamaica’s national 800m champion, also collected bronze in 2:00.17 minutes, though she fell short of the World Championships entry mark of 1:59.00 minutes.
Taylor’s record run steals the spotlight
While Jamaica’s medal count swelled on Saturday, the performance of the day came from Tyrice Taylor in the men’s 800m. The national champion delivered a stunning run for bronze in 1:43.74 minutes, breaking the Jamaican record and surpassing the automatic World Championships qualifying standard of 1:44.50 minutes.
Taylor’s effort secured him a ticket to Tokyo, marking a monumental leap from his previous global ranking of 81st, well outside the qualifying top 56. “This means everything—I finally have the standard, and I can’t wait for Tokyo,” Taylor said after the race.
His teammate Navasky Anderson, the previous record holder, also impressed with a personal best of 1:44.18 minutes for fourth. The event was won in spectacular fashion by St. Vincent’s Handal Roban, formerly of Jamaica College, who stormed home in 1:42.87 minutes, a new NACAC record.
Golden foundation on opening day
Jamaica’s medal charge had been launched on Friday with a flurry of four gold medals and several podium finishes.
Fedrick Dacres opened the floodgates with gold in the men’s discus, throwing 65.10m. Teammate Chad Wright also earned bronze with 62.85m.
Amoi Brown claimed the women’s 100m hurdles in 12.83 seconds (-1.1 m/s), the only athlete to break the 13-second barrier. Canada’s Tatiana Aholou was second in 13.01 seconds, while Jamaica’s Yanique Thompson placed fifth in 13.19 seconds.
Demario Prince kept Jamaica on top with gold in the men’s 110m hurdles, running 13.35 seconds ahead of American Dylan Beard (13.39). Jamaica’s Jaheim Stern claimed bronze in 13.63 seconds.
Sprinter Jonielle Smith then stormed to victory in the women’s 100m in 11.05 seconds (0.1 m/s). Teammate Jodean Williams was a close fourth in 11.13 seconds.
Jamaica also secured silver through Ryiem Forde, who ran 10.01 seconds in the men’s 100m, narrowly beaten by Canada’s Jerome Blake in 9.95 seconds.
