Bryan Levell’s long-standing work with Coach Shanikie Osbourne on improving his curve running finally paid off in dramatic fashion on Saturday night, as the former Edwin Allen standout stormed to a wind-aided 19.79 (+2.5m/s) to win the men’s 200m at the Racers Grand Prix. The time, though slightly over the allowable wind limit for record purposes, is the fastest by a Jamaican under any conditions since 2016, and a major signal of Levell’s growing consistency and confidence in the half-lap event.

“Coach and I have been working on the curve and to see that it’s getting there—I’m glad,” Levell said after the race. “I’m going back to training, keep doing what I’m doing, and just improve on the small aspects.”

The performance was only his second 200m of the season and a massive step forward from his last outing over the distance—a 20.63 run at the Grand Slam Track meet in Philadelphia on May 31. The 21-year-old also clocked a personal best 10.02 in the 100m at the same meet just a day later, a clear indication that his speed and form are peaking at the right time.

Levell first broke the 20-second barrier last year at the Jamaica National Championships, finishing in 19.97, but the 2025 season has been all about refinement and execution. Saturday night’s run, though wind-aided, was smooth and commanding—particularly around the curve, the phase of the race he and Osbourne have been laser-focused on perfecting.

“I wasn’t really expecting that,” Levell admitted. “I just came out here to put in a good time and do my best.”

The breakthrough marks a major milestone in what has been a season of steady progression for the sprinter but has still managed to surprise the emerging sprinter.

“Each time I get on the track I get a little shock—I’m surprised a bit,” he said. “But I know the work I’ve been putting in, so I expect good times.”

With the Jamaica National Championships just weeks away, Levell’s form has come into sharp focus at the perfect time. His wind-aided 19.79 not only makes him the fastest Jamaican man over 200m this season under all conditions, but also the fastest since Andrew Hudson ran 19.87 in August 2022. Importantly, Levell is now entering conversations not just as a promising name, but as a legitimate contender to lead Jamaica’s charge in the event this summer.

“We’re not where we want to be yet, but it’s a work in progress,” he said. “We’ll keep building.”

If Saturday night was any indication, the foundation is strong—and Bryan Levell is surging forward.