Ackera Nugent, the newly crowned national 100m hurdles champion and Jamaica's record-holder, continues to dazzle on the track with a stellar performance in the 100m at the Ed Murphy Classic in Tennessee.
The rising star showcased her speed proving she is a force to be reckoned with as she prepares for her Olympic debut in Paris later this month.
In the women's 100m event, Nugent blazed through the heats, clocking an impressive 11.15s to qualify with the fastest time heading into Friday's finals. In the final showdown into a headwind of 0.9m/s, Nugent ran a swift 11.17s, securing a commendable second place behind Nigeria’s Favor Ofili, who won with a time of 11.13 seconds. Liberia’s Maia McCoy finished third, crossing the line in 11.32 seconds.
Nugent's performance is drawing already comparisons to the legendary American Gail Devers, celebrated for her achievements in both the 100m and 100m hurdles. Despite her primary focus being on the hurdles, Nugent expressed satisfaction with her 100m run, stating, "This was just to get a little speed work in before Paris. I'm pleased with my time, considering I'm not specifically training for the 100m. Running 11.1 in the 100m is satisfying. I have a fondness for the event, even though it's not my focus."
Nugent's performance at the Ed Murphy Classic highlights her versatility and potential as she continues her preparation for the Olympics. Her ability to excel in both the hurdles and the 100m sprints adds a dynamic edge to her athletic profile, making her one to watch in Paris.
Adding to the Jamaican contingent's impressive showing, Danielle Williams also demonstrated fine form in the 100m hurdles. The 31-year-old, who will be making her Olympic debut after securing two gold medals and a bronze at the World Championships, finished third with a time of 12.81 seconds. Denisha Cartwright of the Bahamas clocked 12.73 seconds to take second place, while Christina Clemons of the USA won the event in 12.61 seconds.
Olympics here we come: Red Stripe taking ten winners of “Guh fi Gold & Glory” promotion to Paris
The 2024 Olympics will be an unforgettable experience for the ten winners of the Red Stripe “Guh fi Gold & Glory” promotion.
From May 1 to June 28, Red Stripe rolled out a series of promotional events in support of the upcoming Olympic Games, from which 10 consumers have secured a unique opportunity to enjoy the Games live from the Stade de France in Paris.
To enter the promotion, consumers had to purchase six Red Stripes and send in their receipt via WhatsApp.
Out of the scores of people that entered, Samanthia Gordon, Solomon Hutchinson, Andre Davis, Nicola Bryce, Deborah Cole, Delroy Lee Rose, Princess Hibbert, Osbert Bailey, Johnell Benson and Danielle McKenzie were the lucky ten competition winners.
An additional 11 people from Red Stripe as well as various sister companies as well as customers will also be making the trip.
On Saturday, July 13, the winners, as well as others who will make the trip as part of Red Stripe’s contingent, were on hand at the company for a special handover event and celebration.
Two of the promotion winners, McKenzie and Rose, expressed excitement at the prospect of going to the Olympics.
“I’m very excited. I can’t wait to see the country and the attractions and, obviously, to cheer on team Jamaica,” McKenzie told Sportsmax.tv.
“Ecstatic,” was Rose’s response, noting that this will be his very first time travelling out the country.
“I will fully enjoy it. I thank Red Stripe because, out of all the people to enter, to be selected must be a divine intervention. I’ll be a proud representative of Jamaica,” he added.
The winners were also gifted with travel kits including items like branded shirts, jackets and cups as well as pot covers and vuvuzelas that will surely be used to cheer on the team in Paris.
Brand Manager for Red Stripe, Nathan Nelms, gave Sportsmax.tv insight into the motivation behind this initiative for the company.
“We really wanted to give our consumers a taste of the celebrations that will be happening in Paris. We are sure everybody locally will be watching on TV to cheer on team Jamaica, however, we wanted to give a very small group the opportunity to see the team live in Paris and give them an experience of a lifetime,” he said.
“We’ve come a long way since our signing of a big partnership with the Jamaica Olympic Association back in 2023. We’ve done so much to make sure that there is this rally cry that is built for the Jamaica Olympic Team,” he added.
In addition to getting to view the Olympics live, the winners will be given tours of various attractions in the French capital including the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre.
Athletics at the Olympic Games will take place from August 1-11.
Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce set for Switzerland showdown ahead of Final Olympic quest
Three-time Olympic gold medalist Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce is set to compete in Switzerland on Tuesday as she gears up for what will be her final Olympic Games in Paris this summer. The 37-year-old Jamaican sprint queen aims to extend her record by winning a fifth Olympic 100m medal in Paris, solidifying her legacy as the greatest female 100m sprinter of all time.
Fraser-Pryce’s remarkable Olympic journey began with gold medals in Beijing in 2008 and London in 2012. She then captured a bronze medal at the 2016 Rio Games, despite battling an injured toe, and followed up with a silver medal at the 2020 Tokyo Games. This incredible feat made her the first and only woman to win medals in the 100m at four consecutive Olympic Games.
In the recent Jamaica National Championships, Fraser-Pryce finished third in the 100m behind Shericka Jackson (10.84) and first-time Olympic qualifier Tia Clayton (10.90). Fraser-Pryce clocked 10.98 in the preliminaries, 10.91 in the semifinals, and 10.94 in the final, showcasing her enduring speed and competitive spirit.
As she prepares for her final Olympic appearance, Fraser-Pryce will compete at the Luzern meeting on Tuesday, marking her return to European soil since the 2023 World Championships. This event will likely be her last race before the Paris Olympics. Last year at the Luzern meeting, she clocked an impressive 10.82 seconds, demonstrating her elite performance level.
Fraser-Pryce, who will turn 38 in December, is poised to make her final push for Olympic glory. With five world titles in the 100m to her name, she remains a formidable competitor on the track. Her participation in Switzerland is not only a critical part of her Olympic preparations but also a chance for fans to witness one of the sport's legends in action one last time before she aims for another historic performance in Paris.
Christania Williams, Wendell Miller, and Shafiqua Maloney triumph at Sport Solidarieta Meeting in Italy
Jamaica’s Christania Williams, Bahamian Wendell Miller, and Shafiqua Maloney of St Vincent and the Grenadines, emerged victorious in their respective events at the 35th International Meeting 'Sport Solidarieta' held at the G. Teghill Stadium in Lignano Sabbiadoro, Italy, on Sunday.
Williams, who was notably absent from the Jamaica National Championships two weeks ago, ran a season’s best of 11.24 seconds to win the women’s 100m in a thrilling photo finish. She edged out the USA's Celera Barnes, who was also credited with the same time. Serena Cole secured third place with a season’s best of 11.26 seconds, just ahead of her MVP Track Club teammate Krystal Sloley, who clocked 11.27 seconds for fourth.
In the men’s 100m, Gary Card was the top Caribbean finisher, placing fourth with a time of 10.39 seconds. The event was won by the USA’s Kendall Williams, who crossed the line in 10.21 seconds.
Bahamas' Wendell Miller delivered a standout performance in the men’s 400m, clocking an impressive 45.67 seconds to claim victory. He finished ahead of Daequan Butler, who posted 46.22 seconds, and Abdelmalik Lahoulou, who achieved a lifetime best of 46.52 seconds for third place.
Shafiqua Maloney continued her preparations for the Paris Olympic Games with a commanding win in the women’s 400m. Representing St Vincent and the Grenadines, Maloney set a meet record with a time of 50.63 seconds, comfortably outpacing her competitors. Jamaica’s Stephenie-Ann McPherson, who plans to retire after the Olympic Games in Paris, finished second in 51.51 seconds. Ama Pipp took third place with a time of 52.17 seconds.
In the men’s 400m hurdles, Yeral Nunez of the Dominican Republic set a meet record, winning the race in 48.58 seconds, further highlighting the level of competition at the event.
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