Jamaica’s Rohan Watson signalled his intent at the 2025 World Athletics Indoor Championships in Nanjing, China, on Friday, winning his heat in commanding fashion to book his place in the semi-finals of the men’s 60m dash.

Watson clocked an impressive 6.54 seconds to take Heat 8, comfortably ahead of Japan’s Yoshiki Kinashi (6.60), as he posted the fourth-fastest time overall from the heats. The Jamaican’s reaction time of 0.151s showed his sharpness out of the blocks, and he will be aiming to carry that form into the next round.

Barbados’ Julian Forde also made a strong statement, running a personal best 6.57 seconds to advance from Heat 6 with the seventh-fastest time overall. Forde's performance continues a solid start for Caribbean sprinters in Nanjing.

Meanwhile, Rikkoi Brathwaite of the British Virgin Islands clocked 6.64 to secure his place in the semi-finals as well, joining Watson and Forde in what is shaping up to be a competitive next round.

In the women’s 800m, Shafiqua Maloney of St Vincent and the Grenadines advanced to the semi-finals after finishing third in her heat. Maloney clocked 2:03.56 in a tightly contested Heat 4, progressing automatically behind the USA’s Nia Akins (2:03.29) and Poland’s Anna Wielgosz (2:03.40). The Vincentian star will be hoping to push for a finals spot as the rounds progress.

There was a nervous wait for Jamaica’s Rusheen McDonald in the men’s 400m, but he eventually secured a semi-final berth as a non-automatic qualifier. McDonald clocked a season-best 46.72 seconds, finishing third in his heat. Though not enough for automatic qualification, his time was fast enough to advance on time.

The 2025 World Indoor Championships have started brightly for Caribbean athletes, with several advancing and laying the groundwork for what could be a memorable championship for the region.