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• Ackera Nugent sets new world lead and national record as Caribbean athletes shine at Rome Diamond League

  Jamaica's Ackera Nugent continued her stellar form at the Rome Diamond League meeting on Friday, setting a new world-leading time and leading a strong showing by Caribbean athletes who secured multiple podium finishes.

  Nugent, who had already made headlines with a meet record of 12.29 in Silesia, Poland last week, delivered another masterclass in the 100m hurdles, clocking an impressive 12.24 seconds. Her time not only eclipsed the previous meet record of 12.37 set by Jasmine Camacho-Quinn in June 2022 but also improved her own national record of 12.28, set earlier this year at the Jamaica National Championships. Nugent's performance was even more remarkable, given the negative wind of -0.4m/s during the race.

  Nugent, who reached the finals of the Paris Olympics but was unable to complete the race, showcased her resilience and exceptional form with this victory. Despite the significance of defeating American Masai Russell, who won in Paris and finished second in Rome with a time of 12.31, Nugent emphasized that her win was not about revenge but about capitalizing on her current shape.

  "This victory is not like revenge for the Olympics for me. I am just in really good shape. I was injured before, and this is a new experience for me. I am still so young. I still got to show up," Nugent remarked. "My emotions? I guess they have not kicked in yet because I am still so full of adrenaline. I cannot tell you. Yeah, I kind of expected to win here. I really enjoyed this race."

  Nadine Visser of the Netherlands rounded out the podium, finishing third in 12.52.

  Frenchman Sasha Zhoya won the 110m hurdles in 13.18 ahead of Spain’s Azier Martinez, who just edged Jamaica’s Omar McLeod for second place. Martinez finished in 13.27 to McLeod’s 13.28.

  In other events, Jamaica's Romaine Beckford achieved a new lifetime best in the men's high jump, clearing 2.30m to secure second place. The victory went to Sanghyeok Woo, who also cleared 2.30m but claimed the win with a cleaner record.

   

  The men’s 400m saw an intense battle, with Muzala Samukonga of Zimbabwe emerging victorious in 43.99 seconds. Grenada's Kirani James and Trinidad and Tobago's Jereem Richards claimed the remaining podium spots, finishing in 44.30 and 44.55 seconds, respectively.

  In the men's discus, Olympic champion Roje Stona of Jamaica had to settle for second place with a throw of 67.85m, as Slovenia’s Kristjan Čeh secured the win with a massive effort of 68.61m. World record holder Mykolas Alekna finished third with a throw of 67.68m. Stona, competing in his first Diamond League meet, expressed mixed emotions after the event.

  "This is my first time in Rome, my first time at a Diamond League. I got beaten at the last attempt, but these things happen in sport," Stona reflected. "I had my opportunities. But, yes, I am a bit disappointed. The result is still good. But I am never really satisfied."

  Shian Salmon delivered a brave performance in the women’s 400m hurdles, finishing second behind American Olympic silver medalist Anna Cockrell, who won in a commanding 52.59 seconds. Salmon clocked 53.20 seconds, while Shamier Little of the United States was third in 54.15 seconds. Jamaica's Janieve Russell finished fourth, and Andrenette Knight, who led early in the race, faded to fifth.

  In an impressive piece of sprinting to close out the meet, Olympic 200m champion, Letsile Tebogo provided a glimpse of the future with a fantastic run to win the 100m final, easing past Americans Christian Coleman and Fred Kerley, to win in 9.87 shutting down. Coleman was second in 9.92 with Kerley close behind in third in 9.95.
  Jamaica's Ackeem Blake was fourth in 10.03.

   

   

   

• Omar McLeod and Kadrian Goldson dazzle at Tampere Motonet Grand Prix

  The 2024 Tampere Motonet Grand Prix in Finland was electrified on Sunday as Jamaica’s Omar McLeod and Kadrian Goldson delivered exciting victories in their respective events, while Britany Anderson continued her inspiring comeback journey with a podium finish in the 100m hurdles.

  McLeod, the 2016 Olympic champion, showcased his champion’s spirit in the 110m hurdles, battling through a stiff headwind of -1.1m/s to claim victory in 13.47 seconds. Despite being out of competition since the Jamaican national championships in June, where he clocked a season’s best of 13.22, McLeod’s performance in Finland was a testament to his resolve.

  The race wasn’t without its challenges. McLeod admitted feeling "rusty," but his class shone through as he comfortably outpaced Finland’s Elmo Lakka, who finished second in 13.72, and Manuel Mordi, who took third in 13.78.

  “It was very good. I haven’t run in two months, so it feels good to get this race in before the Diamond League next week,” McLeod said, his trademark smile breaking through. “The conditions weren’t ideal. I could feel the headwind the entire time. It was ridiculous,” he laughed, “but it was a great race, I finished healthy. It feels good to be out here again.”

  Adding to the excitement, McLeod’s training partner, Britany Anderson, continued her steady return from knee surgery with a strong third-place finish in the 100m hurdles. Anderson, the 2022 World Championships silver medalist, clocked 12.97 seconds in a tightly contested race, just behind Mariam Abdul-Rashid, who took second in 12.96. Finland’s Reetta Hurske claimed victory with a time of 12.87.

  But the day wasn’t over for the Jamaicans. Goldson delivered a thrilling performance in the men’s 100m dash, turning the tables on his American rivals. After finishing second to J.T. Smith (10.18) in his preliminary heat with a time of 10.21, Goldson lined up for the final determined to make his mark.

  In a nail-biting finish, Goldson surged ahead to cross the line in 10.30 seconds, narrowly edging out Coby Hilton, who finished second in 10.31, and J.T. Smith, who took third in 10.33.

  Goldson’s victory was a statement, a demonstration of his ability to rise to the occasion when it mattered most, leaving his American competitors in his wake.

   

   

   

• Nugent, Paulino, and Clayton lead Caribbean success at Silesia Diamond League: Ingerbrigsten and Duplantis set new world records

  Caribbean athletes delivered standout performances at the Silesia Diamond League meeting in Poland on Sunday, with victories and record-breaking feats highlighting a successful day for the region.

  Jamaican hurdler Ackera Nugent bounced back from the disappointment of not finishing in the final of the 100m hurdles at the 2024 Paris Olympics, capturing victory in the event with a meet record time of 12.29 seconds. Nugent, who came close to matching her personal best and national record of 12.28, showcased her return to top form, having already signaled her intent in the preliminary heats with an impressive 12.30. The USA’s Grace Stark finished second in 12.37, narrowly edging out another Jamaican, Danielle Williams, who clocked 12.38 for third place. Olympic champion Masai Russell of the USA was fourth in 12.40.

  Tia Clayton added to Jamaica’s success with a wind-aided 10.83 to win the 100m in a thrilling blanket finish. She finished just ahead of Ivory Coast’s Marie Jose Ta Lou-Smith, who was credited with the same time, while the USA’s Tamari Davis was a close third in 10.84.

  Olympic champion Marileidy Paulino of the Dominican Republic continued her winning ways, dominating the 400m with a meet record time of 48.66 seconds. Paulino’s masterclass performance saw her comfortably ahead of Olympic silver medalist Salwa Eid Naser, who finished second in 49.23. Poland’s Natalia Kaczmarek claimed third in 49.95. Barbados' Sada Williams, who has had a strong season, finished eighth in 50.82.

  

  Jamaica’s Shanieka Ricketts claimed victory in the triple jump, leaping out to 14.50m. Cuba’s Leyanis Perez Hernandez was second with 14.42m, while Italy’s Dariya Derkach took third with 14.02m. Ricketts' win added to the Caribbean’s tally on a day that saw multiple triumphs for the region.

  Romaine Beckford of Jamaica set a lifetime best in the high jump with a clearance of 2.29m, securing second place behind Italy’s Gianmarco Tamberi, who won the event with a jump of 2.31m.

  In the men’s 110m hurdles, Jamaican Rasheed Broadbell narrowly missed out on victory, finishing second to American Olympic champion Grant Holloway. Holloway clocked 13.04 to Broadbell’s season-best 13.05. Broadbell, however, expressed concern after the race, revealing he might have suffered a groin injury during the event. “I got close but I started to feel my groin,” Broadbell said. “No, it’s not good.” The USA’s Daniel Roberts was third in 13.24, with Jamaica’s Orlando Bennett finishing fifth in 13.35.

  Jamaica’s Shian Salmon, Janieve Russell, and Andrennette Knight delivered strong performances in the women’s 400m hurdles, finishing fourth, fifth, and sixth respectively. The event was won by Dutch star Femke Bol, who set a meet record of 52.13.

  In the men’s 100m, Olympic bronze medalist Fred Kerley of the USA won in a meet record 9.87, just ahead of Kenya’s Ferdinand Omanyala (9.88) and Jamaica’s Ackeem Blake, who equaled his lifetime best of 9.89 for third place.

  Jamaican sprinter Kishane Thompson was a notable absentee in the 200m, where Olympic champion Letsile Tebogo of Botswana set a meet record of 19.82. Alexander Ogando of the Dominican Republic finished second in a national record and personal best of 19.86.

  In a meet filled with exceptional performances, Norway’s Jakob Ingerbrigsten set the only world record of the day, running an astonishing 7:17.55 to win the 3000m. 

  Mondo Duplantis continued his world-record streak by establishing yet another mark in the pole vault. The remarkable Swede cleared 6.26m to win an other competitive event.

  The Silesia Diamond League meeting was a memorable event for Caribbean athletes, who not only claimed victories but also set records, proving once again the region’s strength and talent on the global athletics stage.