Jamaica pocketed three medals, two silver and a bronze, on Tuesday’s (2 July) second day of the Cali22 World Athletics U20 Championships in Colombia.
- Bouwahjgie Nkrumie equals Jamaica Junior 100m record at World U20 Championships.
- Tough opening day for Team Jamaica at World U20 Championships
- Jamaicans advance, but Letsile Tebogo shines with 10secs flat at World U20 Championships Day 1
Jamaica pocketed three medals, two silver and a bronze, on Tuesday’s (2 July) second day of the Cali22 World Athletics U20 Championships in Colombia.
Bouwahjgie Nkrumie, who equaled Yohan Blake and Christopher Taylor‘s Jamaica junior record of 10.11 in the semi-finals, blazed to 10.02 in the final to obliterate the mark.
Nkrumie was out fast, and only Letsile Tebogo‘s world U20 record of 9.91 was faster. Tebogo came in as the overwhelming favorite with times of 9.96 and 9.94 seconds earlier this season. He now holds the two fastest times ever run by a teenager.
“It’s a very good feeling,” Nkrumie said. “To represent your country is always a privilege, and to get a medal is an accomplishment for me,” he added.
Kobe Lawrence became the first Jamaican to win a shot put global medal when he threw a personal best 20.58 meters to claim silver. “It’s a very welcome achievement,” he said, “I am very happy for myself. I have been praying a lot and working hard, so I am happy.”
In the mixed relays, Jasauna Dennis, Abigail Campbell, Malachi Johnson and Alliah Baker took Jamaica to bronze in 3:19.98 behind the USA’s 3:17.69 and India’s 3:17.76.
Johnson spoke on behalf of the team: “We are happy we got a medal. We came out here to get a medal. “As Jamaicans, we strive to do our best,” he added, while saying that the team’s national record run made it extra special.
Meanwhile, defending 100 meters champion Tina Clayton and Serena Cole, 11.38 and 11.39, respectively, qualified easily for the semi-finals on Wednesday.
Jamaicans Dejanea Oakley (53.70) and Rickianna Russell (54.63) booked their spots in the women’s 400-meter semi-finals. Bahamian Javonya Valcourt also advanced with 55.31 seconds.
The men’s 400-meter semi-finals will also have two Jamaicans in Delano Kennedy, who ran a personal best of 46.24, and Shemar Uter, who clocked 46.66 seconds.
Only Oneika McAnnuff, with 59.45, advanced in the 400-meter hurdles as Safhia Hinds’ 1:00.97 wasn’t good enough. Brandon Pottinger is the only Jamaican in the men’s high jump, and he advanced with a clearance of 2.08 meters.
