Nugent, the second-fastest woman in the world this year over the 100m hurdles and Jamaica's sole finalist at the Paris Olympics Games, is set to face an exceptional field in what promises to be one of the most anticipated races of the meet.
Among her competitors are Olympic bronze medallist Jamine Camacho-Quinn of Puerto Rico and compatriot Danielle Williams.
Nugent, 22, has been a standout athlete this year, capturing the spotlight after a dominant win at the national senior trials in a blistering personal best of 12.28 seconds. The mark is also a new stadium record and the ninth fastest time in history over the distance.
Her notable achievements include reaching the finals at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where she failed to finish after hitting the first hurdle.
Nugent looks forward to making her Diamond League debut.
"I'm incredibly grateful to finally have the opportunity to compete on the Diamond League circuit," Nugent said.
"It's a huge step as I transition into a full-time professional athlete. The Diamond League is where I see myself competing for the foreseeable future, so I’m ready to embrace everything that comes with it," she added.
Nugent is also slated to compete at the Silesia Diamond League in Poland this Sunday, August 25, and the Rome Golden Gala on Friday, August 30.
Charlton, who also took 100m hurdles silver at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, won ahead of Americans Tia Jones (7.80) and Masai Russell (7.88).
She also took the 60m hurdles at the UK Rod McCravy Memorial in Louisville in 7.88 on January 13.
Elsewhere on the track, Jamaican Texas Tech sophomore and former Wolmer’s Boys and Kingston College standout Shaemar Uter ran 46.04 for second in the men’s 400m behind Oklahoma senior Zarik Brown (46.03). Dubem Nwachukwu, running unattached, was third in 46.30.
In the field, Kentucky junior Luke Brown jumped 16.80m to win the men’s triple jump ahead of Miami’s Russell Robinson (16.59m) and Texas Tech’s Garison Breeding (15.82m).
Ralford Mullings threw 18.58m for top spot in the men’s shot put ahead of Baylor’s Gary Moore (18.20m) and Miami’s Milton Ingraham (18.07m).
Charlton and Nugent were the Caribbean’s shining lights on a day filled with shocks and surprises. Charlton delivered a strong performance in the opening semi-final heat, finishing second behind the USA’s Grace Stark, who clocked an impressive 12.39. Charlton, the reigning 60m hurdles indoor champion, secured her spot in the final with a time of 12.50. Amusan, the world record holder, could only manage third place in 12.55, which was not fast enough to advance, marking a stunning exit for the Nigerian star.
Jamaica's Williams, who entered the competition with high hopes of adding an Olympic title to her two world championships, endured a disappointing run. Williams struggled throughout her race, clipping several hurdles, and ultimately finished sixth in her heat with a time of 12.82, falling well short of the final.
The second semi-final saw another tough outing for the Caribbean. Charisma Taylor of the Bahamas ran a lifetime best of 12.63 but could only finish third, just behind Nadine Visser of the Netherlands, who clocked 12.43 to take the second automatic qualifying spot. Alaysha Johnson of the USA dominated the heat, winning comfortably in 12.34. Despite Taylor’s personal best, it wasn’t enough to secure a place in the final.
Jamaica’s Janeek Brown, who had made a return to competitive hurdling after a two-year hiatus, struggled in her semi-final. Brown, the 2019 NCAA champion, finished seventh in 12.92, far from her personal best of 12.40 set five years ago, and her Olympic journey ended in disappointment.
The third and final heat was the fastest and most competitive, with reigning Olympic champion Jasmine Camacho-Quinn of Puerto Rico laying down a marker with a smooth run to win in 12.35, the quickest time of the round. Masai Russell, the USA champion and world leader with a time of 12.25 earlier this season, finished second in 12.42, just ahead of Jamaica’s Ackera Nugent, who crossed the line in 12.44. Despite finishing third, Nugent’s time was fast enough to secure her a spot in the final, keeping Jamaican hopes alive.
European champion Cyrena Samba-Mayela of France also advanced from this heat, finishing fourth in 12.52, a time that edged out Amusan for the last spot in the final.
With Charlton and Nugent advancing, the stage is set for a thrilling final later on Friday. They will face off against a formidable trio of American hurdlers—Grace Stark, Alaysha Johnson, and Masai Russell—alongside Jasmine Camacho-Quinn, who looks determined to defend her Olympic title. The final promises to be a nail-biting clash, with both Caribbean athletes aiming to defy the odds and secure a place on the podium.
The 25-year-old former Vere Technical athlete impressed on Friday, January 20, when she ran 7.98 over 60m to finish second to Masai Russell at the Red Raider Open in Lubbock, Texas.
Kentucky’s Russell won in a world-leading 7.75 but Roswell’s time made her the fastest Jamaican woman in the world this year after eclipsing the 8.00 run by Arkansas’ Ackera Nugent in Fayetteville, Arkansas on January 13.
It was a welcome return to form from injury for Roswell, who defeated Nugent to win the Big 12 Championships last May, running an outdoor personal best 12.44 for the 100m hurdles.
However, her celebrations were short-lived as an injury slowed her significantly for the remainder of the season. She was seventh at the NCAA Division I Championships in a pedestrian 12.94 and just missed out on a place on Jamaica’s team to the 2022 World Championships in Eugene, Oregon, when she finished fourth at the Jamaican championships in 12.83.
Since then, the work she has put in to get healthy again has been paying off but it wasn’t easy.
“The background work was somewhat tough for me because I was struggling with my injury plus my mentals, but it paying off little by little,” she said.
“It (rehab) went well even though I hate it but my coach and trainer were very tough on me to get me back where I’m supposed to be.
“The time didn’t surprise me at all, to be honest. I’m confident about this season so I’m hoping I keep healthy.”
Roswell also revealed that she is approaching the new season with a different mindset. She is more focused and committed to being successful this season as she intends to leave her mark in her final year in the NCAA.
“I want more this year and I want my name to be remembered,” she said.
In the men's 110m hurdles, Jamaica's Rasheed Broadbell, the Olympic bronze medalist, and his compatriot Orlando Bennett will face off against the formidable American Olympic champion Grant Holloway. Holloway, a two-time world champion, is known for his explosive speed and technical prowess, but the rising French sensation Sasha Zhoya, who has been making waves on the European circuit, is also in the mix. This highly anticipated race is set to be a highlight of the meet, with Broadbell and Bennett looking to upset the reigning champion.
On the women's side, the 100m hurdles will see a clash of titans as Jamaica's Ackera Nugent, the second-fastest woman in the world this year, takes on a formidable field. Nugent, an Olympic finalist and Jamaican champion, will go up against 2019 World champion Nia Ali, former world record holder Kendra Harrison, and Olympic champion Masai Russell. The stacked lineup guarantees a fierce competition, with Nugent aiming to cement her place among the best.
In the blue-riband 100m dash, Jamaica's sprinting sensation Kishane Thompson, who holds the fastest time in the world this year at 9.77 seconds, will lead a trio of Jamaican sprinters. Thompson will be joined by Rohan Watson and Ackeem Blake as they take on an all-star cast, including Olympic champion Marcell Lamont Jacobs, American Fred Kerley, and African champion Ferdinand Omanyala. Christian Coleman, the former world champion, is also in the lineup, making this race one of the most anticipated events of the day.
The women's 100m promises to be equally electrifying, with Jamaica's two-time world champion Danielle Williams set to battle for a spot in the final against American Olympic finalist Grace Stark and French Olympic silver medalist Cyrena Samba-Mayela. With the level of talent on display, this race is poised to be a showstopper.
In the field events, Jamaica's Rajindra Campbell, the Olympic bronze medalist in the shot put, will face the ultimate test as he goes up against Olympic champion and world record holder Ryan Crouser. The shot put competition is expected to be intense, with Campbell aiming to challenge the seemingly unbeatable Crouser.
The 400m hurdles will feature Jamaica's Roshawn Clarke and Jaheel Hyde, both Olympic finalists, taking on a strong field that includes Norway's Karsten Warholm, the Olympic silver medalist, and Estonia’s Rasmus Magi. The women's 400m hurdles will see a quartet of Jamaican stars—Rushell Clayton, Shian Salmon, Andrennette Knight, and Janieve Russell—competing against American Olympic silver medalist Anna Cockrell and former world record holder Dalilah Mohammed.
In the triple jump, Jamaica's Olympic silver medalist Shanieka Ricketts and compatriot Ackelia Smith will face a tough challenge from Cuba’s Laidagmis Povea and American Olympic bronze medalist Jasmine Moore.
Barbadian star Sada Williams will represent her country in the 400m, where she will take on an exceptional field that includes Olympic gold medalist Marileidy Paulino, silver medalist Salwa Eid Naser, and USA’s rising star Alexis Holmes. The presence of Irish sensation Rhasidat Adeleke adds further intrigue to this already competitive race.
The meet will close with the women’s 100m dash, featuring Jamaica's Olympic finalists Tia Clayton and Natasha Morrison. They will face off against Great Britain’s Dina Asher-Smith, Ivory Coast’s Marie Jose Ta Lou, and the USA’s Tamari Davis. With so much talent on display, this race promises to be a fitting finale to a day of high-octane athletics.
Nugent, the newly crowned Jamaican champion and national record holder, displayed her prowess by winning the final of five heats in a time of 12.65. Nugent's smooth run ensured her progression to the semi-finals, where she is expected to be a formidable contender for a medal. Charlton of the Bahamas, running in the same heat, also secured her spot in the next round with a strong performance, finishing in 12.71. Grace Stark of the USA was a close third, clocking 12.72.
Williams, a two-time world champion, looked comfortable as she claimed victory in Heat 4 with a time of 12.59. Williams finished well ahead of Ireland’s Sarah Lavin, who crossed the line in 12.73, and Switzerland’s Ditaji Kambundji, who recorded 12.81.
Brown, the 2019 NCAA champion, faced a tough challenge in the opening heat but managed to advance by finishing third with a time of 12.84. The heat was won by world record holder Tobi Amusan of Nigeria, who clocked 12.49, with American Alaysha Johnson finishing second in 12.61.
Jasmine Camacho-Quinn of Puerto Rico posted the fastest time of the round, winning Heat 2 in a blistering 12.42. Camacho-Quinn's dominance left Great Britain’s Cindy Sember (12.72) and Poland’s Pia Skrzysowska (12.82) trailing in her wake.
In Heat 3, American champion Russell and Nadine Visser of the Netherlands finished together in 12.53, with Russell being declared the winner. European champion Cyrena Samba-Mayela of France was right behind them, clocking 12.56.
The stage is now set for a series of mouth-watering duels as these elite hurdlers vie for a place in the final and a shot at Olympic glory.
Nugent, who holds the U20 60m world record of 7.92, stormed to a personal best 7.81 to win the silver medal behind NCAA record holder Masai Russell, who took gold in 7.77s.
The winning time was just outside Russell’s collegiate record of 7.75 run earlier in the season.
Russell, a senior at Kentucky, broke the previous meet record of 7.89 set by LSU’s Tonea Marshall in 2020 and facilities record of 7.79 that had been held by Clemson’s Briana Rollins since 2013.
Nugent, who was also under the previous meet record, eclipsed her previous best of 7.88 set in January.
Tennessee’s Charisma Taylor ran 8.03 for the bronze medal.
Nugent would have gone into the hurdles final with a boost in confidence after winning the bronze medal in the 60m dash in a personal best of 7.20, finishing just behind silver-medallist Georgia’s Kaila Jackson who clocked 7.17.
Tennessee’s Jacious Sears ran a personal best 7.11 to win the gold medal.
Arkansas’ women topped the table with 130.5 points. Florida was second with 84 while Tennessee finished third with 56.33 points.
Alabama and Ole Miss shared fourth place with 54 points each.
Meanwhile, Arkansas' men also wrapped up the men's title scoring 102.25 points, some of which were contributed by Clemson's Roje Stona.
The former St Jago thrower hit a brand new personal best of 19.96m that won him the bronze medal in the men's shot put.
The top three men all produced personal bests as silver-medallist Jordan West of Arkansas hit his best throw ever of 20.29m.
The winner, John Meyer of LSU, had the winning mark of 20.37m.
Florida finished second in the men's standings with 73 points while Alabama's 63 points put them third.
Georgia (59) and Tennessee (54) rounded out the top five.
The three medallists in Saturday’s final at the Stade de France were separated by just three hundredths of a second.
Camacho-Quinn, who won gold in Tokyo three years ago, took bronze this time around in 12.36, just behind France’s Cyrena Samba-Mayela (12.34) who took silver.
American Masai Russell, whose only other win this season came in the final at the US Trials, held her nerve to take gold in 12.33.
Bahamian World Indoor 60m hurdles champion and world record holder Devynne Charlton ran 12.56 in sixth while Jamaica’s Ackera Nugent failed to finish.
Williams shocked the world by winning her second World title last August with a 12.43 effort in Budapest.
She will be joined by countrywoman Ackera Nugent and fellow Caribbean star Devynne Charlton in the eight-woman field.
Nugent, who finished fifth at the World Championships in Budapest, dominated both the indoor and outdoor NCAA circuits last season.
She claimed the 60m hurdles title at the NCAA Indoor Championships in New Mexico in March with a brilliant 7.73 second effort, this after running a national record 7.72 in the semi-finals.
She followed that up with 100m hurdles gold at the NCAA Outdoor Championships in Texas in June with a wind-aided 12.25.
Charlton is also well-credentialed both indoors and outdoors. She was a finalist in the 100m hurdles at the World Championships in Budapest, finishing sixth.
In 2022, she won silver in the 60m hurdles at the World Indoor Championships in Belgrade, Serbia. That same year, she also took silver in the 100m hurdles at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
Also in the mix will be former World 100m hurdles record holder Keni Harrison, two-time World Indoor champion Nia Ali as well as Tia Jones, Alaysha Johnson and Masai Russell.
