Bryana Johnson and David Treasure were the big winners at the 2024 Jamaica Bodybuilding and Fitness Association (JABBFA) Novice, Junior and Elite Bodybuilding Championships held at the Courtleigh Auditorium in Kingston on June 29.

Johnson claimed the top prize in both the Junior Bikini Wellness and Novice Bikini Wellness categories while Treasure took top spot in both the Junior Men’s Physique and Novice Men’s Physique Tall sections.

Johnson, who beat out strong challenges from Rashida Bignall and Laycola Newman in Novice Bikini Wellness, put her success down hours upon hours of hard work and dedication in the gym.

“I felt like the work that I have put in, sleepless and tireless nights, paid off. My coaches have been phenomenal, both my posing coach Sherea Clarke and my coach Richardo Daniels. With these two by my side and the help of my gym family, they have been a massive source of support for me,” she told Sportsmax.tv after the competition.

“Winning here is honestly an indicator to keep going because I felt like there were points where I was a bit demotivated when I was on stage but I remember the few that showed up and I remember the work that I put in. This is just the beginning of my journey,” she added.

When questioned about the most difficult part of her preparation process for the championships, Johnson referenced dieting.

“The hardest part is the dieting. Training for me easy. I love working out. Dieting was the hardest part for me starting my fitness journey,” she said.

Treasure turned back the challenge of Marquis Wright in the Junior Men’s Physique category while, in Novice Men’s Physique Tall, he defeated last year’s champion Andre McDonald and Romel Gordon.

He was obviously thrilled with victory but described being on stage initially as “nerve-wracking” when he spoke to Sportsmax.tv at the end of the championships.

“It feels really good and the reason I feel that way is because of the uncertainty that led into the competition. Body dysmorphia is a thing. You start asking yourself questions like if you look good enough or what position am I going to be placed in?” he said.

“You can’t see yourself so you think everybody looks better than you. The original shake you get in your spine when you make that first step; going in front of judges and going in front of a crowd; what will I do that will make them choose me? That was nerve-wracking,” he added.

As time went on, Treasure said he felt more comfortable.

“Every step that I took, the energy, the atmosphere, the essence of the crowd, I just started to absorb it. I don’t know what happened when I went up there but I just transformed and it felt great,” he said.

He also added that competing gave him a new level of respect for every athlete that partakes in the sport of Bodybuilding.

“Since I competed, I respect every single athlete that performs here because it takes dedication and it takes drive to actually do this with the dieting,” he said.

In other results on Saturday, Hughgene Osbourne took top spot ahead of Marquis Wright and Daniel Grant in the Junior Bodybuilding category.

Laycola Newman won in the Novice Women’s Body Fitness Category ahead of Nicole Lewis and Saidah Delisser.

The Novice Bodybuilding category was won by Shaun Smith ahead of Steve Rogers and Hughgene Osbourne.

Shanika Campbell defeated Kesonya Gopie to take the Novice Women’s Physique crown.

Matthew Donville took top spot in the Novice Classic Bodybuilding category ahead of Shaun Smith and Steve Rogers.

The Novice Men’s Physique Short category was won by Malik Griffiths, who also took the overall Men’s Physique title, ahead of Abraham Evans and Matthew Donville.

The Novice Bikini Fitness Short title was taken by Jordan Barron ahead of Nicole Lewis and Saidah Delisser while the Tall category was won by Tara Francis ahead of Yanique Davis.

The Elite Bodybuilding title was won by Cecil Deacon ahead of Marcus White and Rupert Johnson.

Two of the fastest men in history, Yohan Blake and Asafa Powell, have heaped praise on rising star Kishane Thompson following his sensational performances at the Jamaica National Championships on Friday night.

Thompson, who was making his season debut, stunned the athletics world with a series of remarkable times: 9.82 seconds in the preliminaries, 9.84 seconds in the semi-finals, and a jaw-dropping 9.77 seconds in the final, despite trying to slow down towards the end. His efforts secured him a spot at the Paris Olympics and have reignited the hopes of Jamaican sprinting fans.

Blake, the second fastest man of all time with his 9.69 clocking in Lausanne in August 2012, expressed his excitement for Thompson’s future. Blake, who famously ran 9.75 at the 2012 National Championships and 9.69 in Lausanne later that year, sees immense potential in Thompson.

"I think great things are in store for Kishane. That was a big run! I am happy for him and I think he can go all the way and bring Jamaica the gold," Blake said.

Blake's words come with significant weight, given his own storied career. He famously defeated Usain Bolt at the 2012 National Championships and went on to finish second to Bolt at the London Olympics with a time of 9.75 seconds, a performance that remains one of the fastest in history.

Thompson’s performances have not only earned him accolades from legends but have also reignited the passion of Jamaican sprinting fans, who have been longing for a new hero since the retirement of Usain Bolt in 2017 and Powell’s subsequent exit from the track. Severe injuries limited Blake's performance in recent years, but Thompson’s emergence has given fans renewed hope.

In the finals on Friday night, Oblique Seville, who many considered the pre-race favorite, finished second with an impressive 9.82 seconds, while another rising Jamaican sprinter, Ackeem Blake, took third in 9.92 seconds.

Powell, known for his world record-setting runs of 9.77 in Athens in 2005 and 9.74 in Rieti in 2007, also had high praise for Thompson. Powell, who holds the record for the most wind-legal sub-10 second runs, believes Thompson is just getting started.

"Jamaica has been asking for an answer since we retired, and they now have it. Kishane will run faster than 9.77 this year. That’s what I think," Powell stated.

Powell’s confidence in Thompson’s ability to surpass his recent times adds to the anticipation surrounding the young sprinter’s future performances. With his lifetime best of 9.72 and a record 97 wind-legal times under 10 seconds, Powell has set a high standard for Jamaican sprinters, and his endorsement of Thompson signals the arrival of a new era in Jamaican sprinting.

The Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) has announced the immediate resignation of Heimir Hallgrímsson, head coach of the Senior Men's National Team. The decision was communicated by Hallgrímsson to the JFF president and players earlier today.

According to a statement released Sunday night by the JFF, Hallgrímsson, who took over the role more than two years ago, has been instrumental in raising the standards of the national team. His tenure has brought significant benefits to the JFF and the wider Jamaican football community. Despite his efforts, recent events have led to his departure from the position.

In the statement, the JFF expressed gratitude for Hallgrímsson's contributions, acknowledging his commitment to the team and wishing him success in his future endeavors. The JFF's Technical Committee will now begin the search for a new head coach as the Concacaf Nations League and the FIFA World Cup qualifiers loom on the horizon.

Hallgrímsson's resignation comes on the heels of Jamaica’s 3-0 loss to Venezuela on Sunday, which marked their third straight defeat in the Copa America. Meanwhile, a report in the Sunday Observer indicated that the relationship between Hallgrímsson and the JFF had soured, with the coach also losing favour with several key players in the Reggae Boyz squad.

According to the Observer report, sources within the JFF suggested that frustrations on both sides had reached a breaking point, leading to an early separation. Hallgrímsson, who led Iceland to its first-ever FIFA World Cup appearance in 2018, was brought on board in 2022 with the goal of securing Jamaica's qualification for the 2026 tournament. Despite a fairly respectable record Halgrímsson's tenure has been marred by internal conflicts and less-than-convincing results.

The report went on to say that  coach's relationship with the JFF reportedly began to deteriorate significantly earlier this year and that Hallgrímsson vacated his residence in Jamaica and returned to Iceland in January, only traveling to Jamaica for team assignments. Additionally, his attempts to reintegrate controversial Aston Villa attacker Leon Bailey into the squad for the Copa America were met with resistance from other players, further straining relations within the team.

As the JFF begins the search for a new head coach, the focus will be on finding a leader capable of uniting the team and steering Jamaica towards success in the Concacaf Nations League and the FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

Shericka Jackson successfully defended her national 200m on the final day of the Jamaica National Championships in Kingston on Sunday but it did not come easy.

Jackson, who defended her 100m title on Friday night running a season-best 10.84, held off a strong challenge from Lanae-Tava Thomas and Niesha Burgher both of whom booked their tickets to their first-ever Olympic Games in Paris this summer.

Jackson, the fastest woman alive at 21.41, produced a winning time of 22.29 just ahead of Thomas who clocked 22.34 and Burgher 22.39.

The men race was an equally thrilling affair in which 2023 champion Andrew Hudson was dethroned by rising star Bryan Levell.

Hudson and Levell both exploded from the blocks and came off the curve together battling down the straight towards the line. With a few metres to go, Levell edged ahead to win in a lifetime best of 19.97 with Hudson a close second in 20.02. Both will make their way to France this summer.

Javari Thomas was third but his time of 20.32 is outside the Olympic qualifying standard.

In one of the most exciting set of hurdles races ever witnessed at the National Stadium in Kingston, Ackera Nugent and Rasheed Broadbell emerged victorious, claiming national titles on the final day of the 2024 National Championships.

Ackera Nugent, the 2023 NCAA National Division 1 champion, showcased her incredible talents, dominating a talented field of hurdlers to win in a world-leading 12.28 seconds. This impressive time not only earned her the national title but also set a new national record. Nugent's performance has set the stage for her to be a formidable contender at the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris.

World champion Danielle Williams, after several attempts, is finally on her way to her first Olympics, finishing second with a time of 12.53 seconds. Janeek Brown, the 2019 NCAA champion, also secured her spot for her Olympic debut by finishing third with a season’s best of 12.61 seconds.

While the women's race was thrilling, the men's 110m hurdles delivered a heart-stopping spectacle. In one of the closest finishes ever witnessed by Jamaican fans, Rasheed Broadbell was declared the winner with a time of 13.18 seconds, identical to Orlando Bennett, who finished in second place. Defending Olympic champion Hansle Parchment was narrowly edged out, finishing third in 13.19 seconds.

The race was so tightly contested that Tyler Mason finished just 0.03 seconds behind, with a time of 13.22 seconds, the same as the 2012 Olympic champion, who unfortunately missed out on the opportunity to represent Jamaica at another Olympic Games.

The 2024 National Championships in Kingston will be remembered for these remarkable performances, setting the stage for an exciting Olympics with Jamaican hurdlers poised to make a significant impact on the world stage.

Nickisha Pryce ran away with her second national 400m title on the final day of the Jamaica National Championships at the National Stadium in Kingston on Sunday.

Pryce, who set a new national record of 48.89 at the NCAA National Division One Championships in Eugene, Oregon in early June booked her ticket to the 2024 Paris Olympic Games winning in 50.01.

Stacey-Ann Williams ran 50.56 for second place with Junelle Bromfield finishing third in 51.24.

Long jumper Shawn-D Thompson's impressive mark of 8.30m, achieved on Saturday, at the Jamaica National Championships, has been ruled out after lengthy deliberations by a jury of appeal. This decision has significant implications for Thompson's Olympic aspirations, as he is now no longer among the top three finishers and will not be heading to Paris this summer.

Thompson's sixth and final jump of 8.30m had initially placed him in a strong position. However, the jump was ruled a foul, and after being measured, the matter was sent to the jury of appeals. Following their deliberation, the jury decided to dismiss the appeal, thereby disqualifying Thompson's mark.

The ruling has altered the final standings of the competition. Carey McLeod's leap of 8.38m now secures him the first place, while Wayne Pinnock moves up to second with his jump of 8.27m. Tajay Gayle, the 2019 World Champion, who had initially missed out on a top-three finish, will now take third place with his jump of 8.13m.

The decision is a significant blow to Thompson, who had been eyeing a spot at the Paris Olympics. In contrast, it is a fortunate turn for Gayle, who has been one of Jamaica's top performers in the long jump and now gets another opportunity to showcase his talents on the world stage.

Jereem Richards secured his place at the Paris Olympic Games with an impressive victory in the men's 400m at the NAAA National Championships on Saturday. Competing at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Port of Spain, Richards showcased his prowess, clocking 44.72 seconds to win the event and earn his Olympic berth. His performance was well ahead of his competitors, with Jaden Marchan finishing second in 46.30 seconds and Shakeem McKay taking third in 46.62 seconds.

In the men's javelin, 2012 Olympic gold medallist Keshorn Walcott reaffirmed his dominance with a winning throw of 85.22m. Walcott, who has been a stalwart in the event for Trinidad and Tobago, displayed his experience and skill, ensuring his spot on the Olympic team once again.

The women’s 100m final saw Leah Bertrand of Simplex Athletic Club clinching the title with a time of 11.18 seconds. Sole Frederick, also of Simplex, finished second in 11.43 seconds, while Akilah Lewis of Concorde Athletic Club took third place with 11.50 seconds.

In the men’s 100m final, Devin Augustine emerged victorious with a time of 10.21 seconds. Jonathan Farinha was a close second, clocking 10.23 seconds, and Kion Benjamin finished third in 10.38 seconds.

Tyra Gittens, the lone competitor in the long jump established a mark of 6.47m.

Day three of the Jamaica National Championships at the National Stadium in Kingston on Saturday saw some thrilling performances, headlined by Carey McLeod's victory in the men's long jump and Nickisha Pryce's impressive run in the 400m semi-finals.

McLeod clinched the men's long jump title with a leap of 8.38m but the highlight of the event was Shawn-D Thompson's dramatic qualification for the Paris Olympic Games. Thompson, who previously had a personal best of 8.13m from 2019 and a season’s best of 7.93m, saved his best for last. He produced a massive 8.30m effort in the final round, securing second place and a spot on the Olympic team.

Thompson's jump initially seemed to be a foul, but after review, it was deemed valid. His final leap pushed national record holder and two-time World Championships medallist Tajay Gayle out of contention. Wayne Pinnock finished third with an 8.27m effort.

Nickisha Pryce, competing in Jamaica for the first time since setting a national record at the NCAA Championships, dominated the women’s 400m semi-finals. Pryce clocked 49.63 seconds, the fastest time heading into Sunday's final. Pryce, who also set the NCAA record with 48.89 seconds, was the only Jamaican to run under 50.00 seconds on Saturday.

Barbados' Sada Williams posted a season’s best of 49.80 seconds, while Junelle Bromfield achieved a lifetime best of 50.74 seconds, meeting the Olympic qualifying standard. Stacey-Ann Williams ran 50.93 seconds, with veteran Stephenie-Ann McPherson recording her fastest time in two years at 51.10 seconds. Ashley Williams (51.16s), Charokee Young (51.58s), and Shaquena Foote (51.62s) also made it to the final.

The men's 110m hurdles final on Sunday promises a thrilling showdown, with the last two Olympic champions, Hansle Parchment and Omar McLeod, and Commonwealth Games champion Rasheed Broadbell, all qualifying from Saturday’s semi-finals. The trio will compete for the three spots on the Jamaican team for the Olympic Games in August.

The women’s 100m hurdles semi-finals saw World Champion Danielle Williams and Olympic bronze medallist Megan Tapper advancing to Sunday's final. Ackera Nugent led the qualifiers with a season’s best of 12.46 seconds followed by Williams at 12.57 seconds and Tapper, running with a sore hamstring at 12.71 seconds.

Oneka Wilson of Clemson University clocked a personal best of 12.76 seconds, a similar time as Demisha Roswell, while 2019 World Championships finalist Janeek Brown (12.83s) and Amoi Brown (12.86s) also advanced.

Notably, national record holder and World Championships silver medallist Britany Anderson, running in Jamaica for the first time since 2022, failed to get past the semi-finals.

The action-packed day set the stage for an exciting final day of competition on Sunday, with several athletes looking to secure their places for the Paris Olympic Games.