Janieve Russell won Jamaica’s fourth gold medal on Thursday’s fifth day of track and field at the #GoldCoast 2018 Commonwealth Games in Australia.
The 22-year-old’s 400m hurdles success added to those of Ronald Levy’s 110m hurdles, Kimberly Williams (triple jump) and Aisha Praught-Leer (3,000m steeplechase).
Russell, who put together a well-timed race, went clear of early leader Wanda Nel of South African in the straight to take victory in 54.33. Scotland’s Eilidh Doyle, who also got past Nel, took silver in 54.80. Nel held on for bronze in 54.96.
Jamaicans Ronda Whyte, 55.02 and Ristananna Tracey, 57.50 finished 4th and 8th respectively.
In the highly anticipated women’s 200m final, Bahamian Shaunae Miller dominated while Olympic sprint double champion Elaine Thompson ended without a medal.
Miller topped the event in 22.09, but Jamaican fans got something special to cheer when Shericka Jackson crossed the line in 22.18, a lifetime best for the MVP athlete.
Jackson described the night as “amazing”
“God is Good. Thanks for all your support. Congratulation to all the ladies for a job well done,” Jackson ended.
Miller-Uibo first thank “God” and went on to say she “had an amazing race with some amazing women tonight!”
“Congrats to you all,” she wrote with was followed by a heart while adding “Commonwealth Games Champion added to the list.”
“Thank you to everyone that supported. I truly felt the love,” Miller-Uibo’s message ended.
Thompson ended 4th in 22.30 just behind Dina Asher-Smith (22.29).
She too comment on social media saying “What a race! Congrats to @hey_itsshaunae, @sherickajacko and @dinaashersmith”
She pointed made it clear she is moving on to her next competition.
“On to the next as we prepare for the rest, to all my fans, thanks as always for the support!,” promised Thompson
Meanwhile, Caribbean athletes swept the men’s 400m hurdles.
British Virgin Island’s Kyron McMaster (48.25) won the event ahead of Bahamas’ Jeffery Gibson took the silver in a season-best 49.10.
Jamaica’s Jaheel Hyde picked up bronze in the event with 49.16secs.
Hyde said “rough week at the championships, but happy to have made it out with a first of many international senior medals.”
The men’s 200m title went to Trinidad and Tobago’s Jereem Richards, who was handed the top spot after the disqualification of England’s Zharnel Hughes. Both were given identical times of 20.12secs.
Canadian Aaron Brown (20.34) was promoted to second place, while Leon Reid (20.55) moved up to third. Jamaican Warren Weir (2071), who had finished eighth, moved up to seventh.