Jamaica National Athletics Championships

However, the fastest woman heading into the final on Friday was the 2018 World U20 silver medallist Shian Salmon, who won the opening heat in a season’s best 54.10. Clayton, who missed the last year of competition because of injury, clocked an encouraging 54.67 to also advance while Russell eased into the final clocking 55.04 that was good enough to win the second of the two heats.

Also through to the final is Andrenette Knight, the fastest Jamaican woman in the world this year. Knight, whose 53.39 makes her the third fastest in the world this year, was third in the first heat in 54.55.

Also through to the finals are Kimesha Chambers (56.03), former national champion Ronda Whyte (56.50), Garriel White (58.16) and Abigail Schaaffe (59.03).

That was the case again on Friday night when in a breathtaking display of speed and power, Jackson successfully defended her Jamaican 100m title,  leaving spectators in awe as she blazed across the finish line in a world-leading time of 10.65 seconds.

This remarkable achievement not only secured her victory but also etched her name among the fastest women in history, now holding the  title of the fifth fastest woman ever. Only world-recorder holder Florence Griffith-Joyner, Marion Jones, Elaine Thompson-Herah and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce have run faster.

After first revealing her methods in 2022 when she wrote down her 21.45s 200m to win gold at the World Championships, Jackson explained that it has now become the norm for her explaining that if you fear telling someone about your goals then you fear that you are not capable of achieving them.

After her remarkable run Friday, she revealed that she had written down the desired time back in June after clocking 10.78 seconds at the national stadium in Kingston.

She placed the written goal on her fridge earlier on Friday, using it as a constant reminder of her aspirations.

"I rewrote the time again this morning and I stuck it on the fridge, and I said today is the day. I'm happy I did it in Jamaica, and now it's time to go back to the drawing board," Jackson shared.

While Jackson had already secured a bye to the upcoming World Championships in Budapest for the 200m event, she expressed her intention to participate in the 200m at the championships.

Despite having fewer opportunities to compete in the event this year, she viewed the race as an opportunity for a proper run, aiming to execute her race plan flawlessly.

 Elaborating on her strategy, Jackson emphasized her commitment to always giving her best performance. "For me personally, the hundred was the focus. I already have a bye in the 200, but because I haven't run so many 200s this year, I definitely want to run the 200 at the championships," she explained. "Every time I touch the track, I want to run fast. If it doesn't happen, I'm still grateful. But if I do run fast, I'm super grateful."

Reflecting on her victory and the statement it may have made to her competitors, Jackson remained humble, emphasizing that her primary focus was on her own progress and self-improvement. "I don't think there was a statement made. As I said, it's just a focus on myself, and I think I'm doing that pretty well," she said with gratitude.

With her eyes set on the upcoming challenges and opportunities, Jackson plans to consult with her coach to analyze her performance in the 100m race and identify areas that require refinement. Determined to continue her success at the World Championships, she highlighted the importance of preparation and fixing any aspects that need adjustment before she departs for Budapest.

McLeod, the 2017 world champion, is not among the 19 men who will contend for one of three spots up for grabs as the hurdlers vie for places at the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary in August. 

There has been no official word from the athlete or his representatives over his absence. He has raced sparingly this season, running twice indoors and once outdoors. On April 29, he ran 13.67 for a second place finish at the LSU Invitational in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

The 29-year-old McLeod has not had the best of fortune at Jamaica’s national championships in recent years. In 2021, he finished at eighth in the final at Kingston’s National Stadium and then infamously blamed the Jamaican authorities for mistreating him.

“I don’t think I was given or granted a fair opportunity to make the team with this ridiculous schedule that I have never seen in my years in track and field where they have semi-finals late in the evening and then, without recovery and the country was in complete lockdown so we were unable to go back to the hotel and get food,” he told media at a press conference in the United Kingdom days later.

“So, my team and I, we did the best we could and we went to a little lounge at the hotel and drank some soup and had a salad because that was all they had, trying to go back to the track and five in the morning for a final at eight, I mean, that’s stupid."

Then in 2022, he finished at the back of the pack once again after hitting a hurdle early into the race and failed in his effort to qualify for an attempt to win a shot at another world title.

Meanwhile, the event which is expected to be keenly contested, will feature a stacked that includes reigning Olympic champion Hansle Parchment, Olympic bronze medalist Ronald Levy and Commonwealth Games champion Rasheed Broadbell, who are expected to be in the running for places on the Jamaican team to Budapest.

However, the battle for places will have to be earned as the likes of Phillip Lemonious the 2023 NCAA Outdoor champion and a resurgent Tyler Mason will also be targeting breakthroughs to the international scene.

Tokyo Olympic semi-finalist Damion Thomas and the talented LaFranz Campbell are also down to compete for spots.

Orlando Bennett, the 2022 NACAC bronze medallist, is also among the 19 as well as collegiate standouts Jaheem Hayles, Sharvis Simmonds, Michael Buchannan, Jordani Woodley, and Andre Douglas.

The multi-talented Dejour Russell will also be keen to get a look in on a team to a major senior championship.

Watson, a relative unknown in the sprinting world, delivered an exceptional performance, crossing the finish line with a new personal best time of 9.91 seconds.

The shocking upset saw Watson triumph over Ryiem Forde, who secured second place with a personal best time of 9.96 seconds, and the renowned Oblique Seville, a fourth-place finisher at last year's World Athletics Championships, who finished in third place with a time of 10.00 seconds.

The unexpected triumph of Watson sent shockwaves through the athletics community, capturing the attention of fans and experts alike. However, the discovery of this "diamond in the rough" was no accident. Coach Stephen Francis, renowned for his ability to identify and nurture talent, was instrumental in Watson's development and guided him to this remarkable victory.

While speaking exclusively to Sportsmax.TV about Watson's journey, Francis revealed the challenges they faced in finding promising sprinters who were willing to join MVP Track Club.

"None of the so-called brand name sprinters in high school wanted to come to us," Francis explained candidly.

“They said the training is too hard, if your girl up there we can’t do what we want, we can’t buy big cars, we can’t go out at night. They shy away from us.”

Faced with those challenges, Francis said he instructed his team to find him a sprinter who could run 10.5 or 10.4.

“We’ll work with them because a lot of people who have done well with us that’s what times they run. We don’t get people who run 10.1, 10.2 or 10.3.”

It was during a race at Jamaica College (JC) last year that Francis first spotted Watson, who demonstrated promising speed and determination.

Watson, who had completed his high school education at York Castle, displayed enthusiasm when approached by Francis and eagerly joined the MVP Track Club. Despite initially appearing smaller in stature than his counterparts, Watson's dedication and positive attitude set him apart.

“He was very interested and he came but even when I saw him in September for the first time on the training field I thought he was very small. We have had very good success with small sprinters but he looked small.”

However, Francis emphasized the importance of attitude and commitment over raw talent. "It is all about what you do, how you learn, and your willingness to sacrifice," he explained.

Watson exemplified these qualities, showcasing steady progress throughout the year. Observing his discipline and dedication, Francis became increasingly confident in Watson's abilities, foreseeing the potential for a sub-10-second performance.

Watson's victory at the national championships affirmed Francis' belief in his athlete's capabilities. As they approach the World Championships in Budapest, scheduled for August, Francis envisions Watson as a genuine medal contender.

The coach noted that the track conditions during the national championships were not particularly fast, indicating that Watson's time could improve further in more favorable circumstances.

Assessing the global sprinting landscape, Francis acknowledged that the field is wide open, with a few key contenders such as British champion, Zharnel Hughes and potentially Fred Kerley, the reigning world champion. However, he expressed confidence in Watson's prospects, given his impressive performance in a championship setting and his ability to maintain his form over multiple rounds.

“I don’t know what Fred Kerley is looking like and Zharnel is looking looks very, very good but apart (from those two), I think he has as good a shot as everybody else.”

However, the University of Arkansas junior remains unfazed by the pressure of expectations, emphasizing that she focuses solely on her own goals and well-being as an athlete. Nugent will be going up against Danielle Williams, the 2015 World Champion, Olympic bronze medallist Megan Tapper, and World U20 Champion Kerrica Hill among others battling for a place on Jamaica's team to the championships in Budapest next month. She remains unfazed by the unofficial 'favourite' tag that she now bears. 

"For me, I don't live up to the expectations of what people have for me," Nugent expressed during a recent Zoom call. "At the end of the day, they (the fans) don't know what I am going through as an athlete, the whole background plan that me and my coach have, and expectations from each other. I can only live up to my own expectations and, as I always say, to finish healthy."

Nugent's mindset revolves around her readiness and confidence. With one of the best coaches in Chris Johnson, guiding her, she prioritizes following his instructions and ensuring she completes each hurdle event without injury.

"The most important thing for me is that I know that I'm ready,” she declared.

“I have one of the best coaches there is, and the most important thing for me is to follow the instruction that he gives me and also finish the hurdles healthy.

"I'm not afraid to compete. I don't care what you have accomplished, what you have done. I know how good I am, and I have to remain confident in myself and just go out there to compete to the best of my ability."

Nugent's victory in the NCAA Championships in Austin, Texas, where she ran a wind-aided 12.25, the fastest time ever run under all conditions on the American collegiate circuit, provided her with a significant confidence boost.

It came after a second-place finish at the SEC Championships, fueling her determination to prove herself in a highly competitive field.

In the women's sprint hurdles final, Nugent faced formidable opponents Alia Armstrong of Louisiana State, who beat her at SECs and Masai Russell of the University of Kentucky.

 However, Nugent's unwavering focus and belief in her abilities propelled her to victory.

"What I would have known since I've been hurdling, it just takes, no matter what lane you are in, no matter who you are up against, it just takes the person who's more focused on their lane," Nugent revealed.

"Going down that track, I was like, 'They will not beat me today. I'm the best in the field, and I'm going to prove that I am the best in the field.'"

Embracing the underdog role further fueled Nugent's motivation.

"I feel for me, going into the event as the least favorite to win was a little motivation... because I was like, 'I have accomplished so much.' I was like, 'I am better than these ladies.' And because I know, and because coach always tells me that it's good to have somebody behind you, and I'm like, 'I have people that are counting on me,' and it was just me against these hurdles."

Throughout the race, Nugent remained focused on her lane and executed her coach's instructions flawlessly. Her disciplined approach paid off, leading to a memorable victory.

As she prepares for Jamaica's national championships, Nugent's confidence remains unwavering, driven by her dedication, talent, and the support of her coach.

After recovering from a knee injury she suffered back in May in Kenya, Fraser-Pryce is more determined than ever to get back on track after her record-breaking season in 2022.

Reflecting on her journey, Fraser-Pryce, in an interview with Black Enterprise shared, "You know, I've always said that no two years are ever the same. You plan and you work, and you just hope that everything falls into place."

Her last year was filled with joy and achievement, especially after winning an unprecedented fifth World 100m title and running under 10.7 seconds, a record seven times, which laid a solid foundation for her ambitions this year.

However, the sprinter experienced a hiccup early in the season in Kenya, forcing a delayed start to her season. Determined to bounce back stronger, she returned to the drawing board to ensure her knee was in excellent condition. She knew that the outdoor season would demand not only mental fortitude but also peak physical performance. Her goal was to be in top form and leave no room for setbacks.

 Speaking about her preparations, Fraser-Pryce stated, "So far, training has been going great, and I believe I'm in a much better place now. I've been able to tweak some things and really revisit areas that needed work."

A three-time Olympic gold medallist, Fraser-Pryce’s relentless work ethic and dedication have been the driving force behind her successful career, and she remains focused on fine-tuning every aspect of her performance.

Throughout her journey, Fraser-Pryce has relied on her spirituality, trusting that God will always guide her path. "I really just trust that God will always work things out," she said, "I always have to trust that. You do the work, and you just get on the track, and you know you have a good team. Coaches are prepared, we're prepared."

This was moments after his charge Tissanna Hickling had been declared national champion by virtue of her second jump of 6.85m that booked her a ticket to the World Athletics Championships in Budapest next month.

The new personal best almost never was as officials initially deemed the jump, Hickling’s second, a foul. The decision was eventually overturned on appeal handing her the victory over three-time Jamaica champion Chanice Porter, who produced a wind-assisted 6.72m for second place. 2023 NCAA champion Ackelia Smith soared out to 6.66m for third place.

When the results were finally announced, Ricketts paced back and forth trying to contain his emotions before eventually taking a seat and lowered his head into his hands. Asked why the open display of emotion, Ricketts replied, “Emotional because being a jumps coach in Jamaica is very rough. We basically get the eat and lef’ (crumbs) off the plate.

“2021, during Covid, UWI (the University of the West Indies) basically cut the (track) programme. They cut me and Okele Stewart and I didn’t know what to do.”

Faced with desperate times, Ricketts said he resorted to what at the time was a desperate measure.

“I sold my car, invested in myself and started Ricketts Performance Centre. I had a lot of athletes and a lot (them) were influenced to leave my camp and it went down to just two athletes - Shanieka Ricketts and Tissanna Hickling. To know that Tisanna stuck with me, believed in me; last year, she had an injury and that basically ruled her out at trials so to see her qualify here tonight, it means the world me.”

Hickling, meanwhile, expressed gratitude for what so far has been her best year as a professional long jumper.

“I just really need to give God thanks because on paper, mentally and physically this has been my best year and training has been going well and it was just to come out here and execute,” she said.

“Last year this time I was in eighth place with lots of injuries. It was a really down year for me. I had an ankle injury and it was really bad.”

Joining Ricketts Performance Centre, she said, where she trains with Shanieka Ricketts, the two-time World Championships triple jump silver medallist, has been a boon.

“Training with a world champion and a Diamond League champion has been really motivating for me because she actually pushes me in training,” Hickling said. “And then the vibe is just really positive and it all showed today.”