BEIJING, China – It was relays time on the penultimate day at the Beijing World Championships and Caribbean teams were few, as it was only the top 16 in the world, which were granted participation. First, there were the 4x400m for both genders.
In the women’s, Jamaica was second behind Nigeria running 3:23.62 to advance. The only other entrant was the Bahamas and they did3:28.46, a national record but failed to make it through. In the men’s qualifiers, Bahamas was disqualified coming from heat 1 and in heat 2, Jamaica and the Trinis, had a pitched battle on the final leg run by Javon Francis and Lalonde Gordon respectively, the Soca man putting down a brilliant leg, and ended up both advancing with 2015 bests in 2:58.67 to 2:58,69.
In the sprint version, Jamaica, taking heat 1 in a world lead of 41.84 and Trinidad & Tobago, 2nd in heat 2 with a national record, 42.24, sandwiched the USA in the top three going to the final. The Hamaicans, running Sherone Simpson, Natasha Morrison, Kerron Stewart with their sprint queen on anchor were awesome and looked unbeatable, especially with 200m specialists, Elaine Thompson and the seasoned VCB, with silver and bronze, already pouched, resting. Jamaican men, with the 100m-sidelined Nesta Carter, Asafa Powell, Rasheed Dwyer and Nickel Ashmeade running in that order, dominated the advancing proceedings with a 37.41 season best to win heat 2, topping all else to the final. The Antigua and Barbuda outfit were in the final mix, as well, 4th in that heat in a 38.01 national best.Bahamas exite at this point, 4th in heat 1, despite their 38.96 2015 best.
No one should bet against Jamaica adding two more gold medals to their tally in the afternoon session.