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.
Leighton Levy is a journalist with 28 years’ experience covering crime, entertainment, and sports. He joined the staff at SportsMax.TV as a content editor two years ago and is enjoying the experience of developing sports content and new ideas. At SportsMax.tv he is pursuing his true passion - sports.
Jamaican Olympian Zara Northover shines at BET Awards, steals spotlight during Lauryn Hill's performance
The 2024 BET Awards, held on June 30 at The Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles, was a night filled with stellar performances and memorable moments. One standout segment was Lauryn Hill’s spiritual, Caribbean-inspired set that closed the show, leaving the audience on their feet. Hill's performance, adorned in the vibrant green, black, and gold colors of Jamaica, resonated deeply with viewers and attendees alike.
Among those captivated by Hill’s performance was none other than former Jamaican shot putter and 2008 Olympian Zara Northover. Known for her motivational speeches and event hosting, Northover has continued to inspire both nationally and internationally. She recently officiated the wedding of four-time gold medalist Aleen Bailey in November 2023, further cementing her presence in the sports community.
Track historians and sharp-eyed viewers noticed Northover seated in the second row behind social media personality Jordon Howlett. The moment gained an amusing twist when BET host Taraji P. Henson mistakenly honored Howlett with a rose, thinking he was the American food critic Keith Lee. Cameras caught Northover vibing to Lauryn Hill’s music, showcasing her enduring charisma and infectious energy.
Peaches Roach Findley, a former Jamaican high jumper and recent Iowa Hall of Famer, shared her excitement about her best friend's appearance. "When Zara told me she was selected to go to the BET Awards, I watched the night away knowing that the BET Awards camera would find Zara Northover," Roach Findley said. "She has always had a light you can’t deny but notice."
Northover, who owns Moving in Faith, LLC, continues to support and uplift athletes along their journeys. She expressed her excitement about her longtime friend Chelsea Hammond finally receiving her Bronze Medal from the 2008 Olympic Games, where they both competed.
Zara Northover’s presence at the BET Awards highlighted her enduring influence and celebrated her contributions both on and off the field, as she remains a beacon of inspiration within the athletic community.
NCAA and national champions Nickisha Pryce and Ackelia Smith sign professional contracts with Puma
NCAA champions Nickisha Pryce and Ackelia Smith have signed professional contracts with global sportswear giant Puma. This news was confirmed by their representative, Henry Rolle, to Sportsmax.TV, marking the beginning of a new chapter for these outstanding athletes.
Pryce, who has had an extraordinary season, set a new national record of 48.89 seconds at the NCAA National Division I Championships in Oregon, representing the University of Arkansas in early June. This stunning performance shattered Lorraine Fenton's two-decade-old national record of 49.30 seconds and made Pryce the first Jamaican woman to dip below 49 seconds in the 400m.
Pryce, who turned 23 last March, continued her dominance by securing her second national title at the Jamaica National Championships last weekend, clocking in at 50.01 seconds. She is now gearing up for her next big challenge at the Diamond League meeting in London on July 20.
Smith, 22, also had an impressive showing at the NCAA National Division I Championships in Oregon, where she represented the University of Texas at Austin. Smith achieved a rare feat by completing a long jump/triple jump double. She then carried this momentum into the Jamaica National Championships, winning the long jump with a leap of 6.53m and finishing second in the triple jump with a distance of 14.44m, just behind six-time national champion Shanieka Ricketts, who jumped 14.53m.
Both athletes have shown exceptional promise and consistency, making them valuable additions to Puma's roster of elite athletes. As they transition into their professional careers, the support and resources provided by Puma will be crucial in helping them reach new heights and achieve their goals on the global stage.
Guts and faith: Russell braves heel injury to secure spot on third Olympic Games team
Despite not being at peak fitness, Janieve Russell was determined to secure a place on Jamaica’s team to the upcoming Paris Olympic Games, and so the 400m hurdler knew she had to demonstrate resilience and tenacity to achieve the feat.
In fact, Russell’s second-place performance at the JAAA National Senior Championships this past weekend was a testament to her unyielding spirit, as she soared above her injury concerns with precision and speed, crossing the finish line in 53.33s –a time that marked her fastest ever run at the National Stadium. Rushell Clayton won in a brisk 52.51s, with Shiann Salmon (53.71s) in third.
Having had her season fraught with challenges and injuries, raising doubts about her ability to compete at her usual high standards, Russell believes her performance dispelled any doubts about her readiness to compete on the world stage.
“I am a very strong-willed person, so I came in determined to punch my ticket to Paris and I did that so I am really grateful. I have a good support team in terms of family and friends and of course, I have to give God thanks because my faith has been carrying me through,” a jubilant Russell said after catching her breath.
“This is also a confidence booster for me because it is the fastest I’ve ever ran in Jamaica and the other competitors can say the same. So this was the first phase, make the team to Paris, now, it's all about staying healthy and continuing to train hard so I can be healthy enough to challenge for a medal at the Olympics,” she added.
With a focused mindset and an unwavering determination, Russell, a multiple Commonwealth Games gold medallist and World Championships relay silver medallist, has shown that once healthy, she is a force to be reckoned with.
The 30-year-old's performance is particularly inspiring given the high level of competition she faced at the National Championships, and her ability to push through physical pain and still deliver a top-notch performance is a testament to her mental strength and athletic prowess.
“It feels really great to know that I am now on my way to Paris, I'm already considering myself a three-time Olympian, which is really a wonderful feeling. So, I just have to give God thanks because trust me, my journey has been a rocky one, I am not 100% in terms of fitness, so I basically came out here with guts and faith to achieve this objective,” Russell, who was a part of the bronze medal-winning 4x400m relay team at the 2020 Tokyo Games, declared.
“So it is very satisfying because the injury that I have is a really serious that I competed with. I have a crack bone in my heel, so to come out here and to run against a fine field of ladies, I'm really, really happy because I was lined up with medalists at World Championship, medalists at Commonwealth, NACAC, finalists at World Championships, so again, it's really good feeling knowing I’m on my way to another Olympic Games,” she noted.
As she looks ahead to the Paris Olympics, where she is expected to also face the likes of Dutchwoman Femke Bol and American World record holder Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, Russell is more motivated than ever. Her recent performance has reinforced her belief in her capabilities and her potential to possibly stand on the Olympic podium.
“The goal and expectation is just to remain healthy and as long as I am healthy and fit then I know I can vie for a medal for Jamaica in Paris. This performance has shown me that I'm on the right track, and I just need to keep pushing forward,” Russell ended.
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