Jamaica’s 400m dominance was on full display at the Arkansas Qualifier on Friday, as the island’s athletes claimed four of the five fastest times in the event, signalling their intent as a rising force globally.

Leah Anderson led the charge, delivering a stunning 51.27-second performance in Section 6 to finish as the overall fastest woman. Stacey-Ann Williams (51.43) and Nickisha Pryce (51.45) closely followed, winning Sections 8 and 7, respectively, while Andrenette Knight, last year’s meet record-holder, finished fifth overall in 52.83.

The lone non-Jamaican in the top five was Anna Cockrell of the United States, who clocked 52.54 to finish second in Section 7 behind Pryce.

In Section 6, Anderson showed incredible strength over the final 200m, splitting 26.89 seconds on the back half after a quick 24.39 opening 200m, leaving former Olympic 400m hurdles champion Dalilah Muhammad (52.97) and Panamanian Olympian Gianna Woodruff (54.85) in her wake.

Her 51.27 clocking was the fastest time of the day and a strong indication that she is rounding into top form ahead of the World Indoor Championships next month.

Pryce, the NCAA Outdoor 400m champion, was equally impressive in Section 7, opening in a blistering 24.23 seconds before powering home in 51.45. She held off Anna Cockrell (52.54) and Arkansas’ Analisse Batista, who set a personal best of 52.89.

Williams, a Tokyo Olympian, ensured Jamaica went 1-2-3 on the day with a composed and technically sound performance in Section 8, winning in 51.43 ahead of Andrenette Knight (52.83), who was unable to replicate her meet record of 51.74 set last year.

With Anderson, Pryce, Williams, and Knight all delivering top-five performances at this meet, Jamaica’s new brigade is beginning to make some noise.