Megan Tapper won Jamaica’s first-ever women’s 100m hurdles medal at an Olympic Games on Monday’s (2 Aug) 4th day of Tokyo 2020.
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Despite running out of lane number nine, the woman who finished second to an Olympic record of 12.26 seconds by Puerto Rican Jasmine Camacho-Quinn in her semi-final, held her composure to grab the bronze medal in 12.55 seconds which was just outside her personal best of 12.53 seconds.
“It wasn’t a personal best that I would hope for, but I give God all the glory, the same way I got a bronze medal that I am really, really, really grateful,” a delightful Tapper said.
Tapper hopes her performance will help to inspire other athletes. “Just like how my win at the National Trials was surprising, this is also surprising….I just see myself as a big inspiration and a big motivation, because if I can do it ….”
The race was won by pre-race favourite Jasmine Camacho-Quinn in 12.37 seconds ahead of world record holder Kendra Harrison in 12.52 seconds.
Bahamian Devynne Charlton was sixth in 12.74 seconds. Britany Anderson, who produced an impressive 12.40 seconds personal best in her semi-final victory, was last after a hurdle mishap midway into the race.
Women’s 100 metres bronze medallist Shericka Jackson was left disappointed after missing out on a semi-final spot in the 200 metres.
Jackson finished fourth in heat number five after being nudged at the line by Dalia Kaddari of Italy. Bahamian Anthonique Strachan was first in 22.32 seconds.
“Sometimes painful things can teach us lessons that we didn’t think we needed to know,” Jackson wrote on social media.
Meanwhile, 100 metres silver medallist Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce strolled 22.22 seconds to take heat number two while reigning 400 metres Olympic champion took the second spot in heat number two in 22.30 seconds.
Double 100 metres champions and reigning Olympic 200 metres champion Elaine Thompson- Herah was third in the sixth heat in a time of 22.86 seconds.
World Champion Tajay Gayle could only manage 11th position in the men’s long jump final with his only legal effort of 7.69 metres.
Aisha Praught-Leer’s time of 4:15.31 seconds was good enough for 13th position in the women’s 1500 metres. She did not advance.
