Rising sprint star Tina Clayton continued her strong form this season with another dominant performance at the World Indoor Qualifiers on Saturday, taking victory in the women’s 60m final ahead of Shericka Jackson, who is still working her way back from injury. Meanwhile, Olympic 100m semi-finalist and reigning 60m indoor bronze medallist Ackeem Blake delivered a solid performance in the men’s 200m but narrowly missed out on first place.

Clayton, who has been consistently faster than Jackson so far this season, ran a season-best 7.08 seconds into a slight headwind (-0.6m/s) to claim victory. Natasha Morrison clocked a personal best 7.09 seconds to take second, while Barbadian Kishawna Niles ran 7.12, another personal best, to finish third. Jackson, still regaining fitness after missing the 2024 Paris Olympics due to injury, placed fourth in 7.14 seconds, which was nonetheless a season-best performance.

Blake was the 200m runner-up in 20.49

In the men’s 200m final, Adrian Kerr edged out Ackeem Blake, posting 20.47 seconds to Blake’s 20.49 in a closely contested race. Sandrey Davison rounded out the top three with 20.75 seconds. Blake, better known for his exploits over the 60m and 100m distances, showed impressive range in the longer sprint, reinforcing his credentials as one of Jamaica’s leading sprinters heading into the indoor season.

Watson ran a personal best 6.50

In the men’s 60m final, Rohan Watson, the 2023 national 100m champion, signalled a welcome return to form, storming to victory in 6.50 seconds. He was followed by Nishion Ebanks in 6.57 seconds, with Antigua’s Cejhae Greene taking third in a personal best 6.59 seconds. Michael Campbell also ran a personal best of 6.60 seconds to finish fourth. Watson’s victory highlights a resurgence in his form as he builds towards a competitive indoor campaign.

Jamaica’s World Indoor 400m bronze medallist, Rusheen McDonald and Bahamian Wendell Miller battled fiercely in the men’s 400m final, both clocking 45.95 seconds, but Miller edged McDonald by mere milliseconds. Delano Kennedy finished third in 46.40 seconds, while Antigua and Barbuda’s Jalen Dyett registered a season-best 46.82 seconds for fourth.

Amoi Brown impressed in the women’s 60m hurdles, storming to victory in 7.80 seconds, while Odario Phillips took the men’s 60m hurdles title with a personal best of 7.91 seconds.