The Gyulai Istvan Memorial in Hungary on Tuesday proved to be an excellent day for Caribbean athletes.

The star of the day, however, was reigning Olympic 400m champion, Steven Gardiner.

The Bahamian, unbeaten since 2017, produced a world-leading 43.74, the second-fastest time of his career, to win ahead of Jamaica’s Rusheen McDonald and American Vernon Norwood.

McDonald ran a massive season’s best 44.03 in second while Norwood’s time in third was 44.63.

In the women’s equivalent, Commonwealth champion Sada Williams ran a season’s best-equaling 50.34 to take the win ahead of Romania’s Andrea Miklos (50.80) and Austria’s Susanne Gogl-Walli (50.87). Charokee Young was sixth in 51.35.

Moving to the 100m where NCAA champion Julien Alfred, on her professional debut, got her usual good start and held her nerve to maintain her unbeaten record this season with a 10.89 effort. The former Texas star handed Sha’Carri Richardson (10.97) her first loss of the season while Tamari Davis was third with 11.02.

It was a Jamaican sweep in the men’s equivalent, with Yohan Blake producing his second consecutive good performance since a disappointing Jamaican Championships last week.

The 2011 World Champion ran 10.04 to win ahead of Ackeem Blake (10.09) while Rohan Watson, Jamaica’s national champion, was third in 10.10.

Defending World Champion and fastest woman alive in the 200m, Shericka Jackson, bounced back from a 100m defeat at the Silesia Diamond League on Sunday to run 22.03 to take the 200m ahead of Ireland’s Rhasidat Adeleke (22.36) and Bahamian Anthonique Strachan (22.45).

The men’s equivalent produced an upset as the Dominican Republic’s Alexander Ogando ran 19.99 to take the event ahead of American teenage sensation, Erriyon Knighton (20.05) and Jamaican national champion, Andrew Hudson, who ran 20.36 in third. Julian Forte was fourth in 20.41.

Reigning Olympic 110m hurdles champion, Hansle Parchment, was narrowly beaten by American Daniel Roberts in the men’s sprint hurdles.

Roberts’ winning time was 13.12, just .02 seconds faster than Parchment in second and Tyler Mason in third.

Andrenette Knight led a Jamaican 1-2-3-4 sweep in the women’s 400m hurdles.

Knight, who lost to Janieve Russell at the Jamaican National Championships last week, turned the tables this time around with a near flawless race to win in a new personal best 53.26.

Russell ran a season’s best 53.72 in second while Rushell Clayton, who will also be on Jamaica’s team in Budapest, ran a season’s best 53.79 for third. Shiann Salmon ensured that Jamaicans occupied the first four places with 55.04 in fourth.

In the field, 2019 World Champion and Jamaica’s national record holder, Tajay Gayle, finished second in the long jump.

Gayle’s best distance, 8.24m, had him in the lead until the final round when Greek Olympic Champion, Miltiadis Tentoglu, produced a winning jump of 8.29m. The USA’s Jarrion Lawson was third with 7.97m.

Last week, Shericka Jackson became the joint-fifth fastest woman of all-time when she sped to a new personal best of 10.65 seconds to win her second consecutive Jamaican 100m title.

Jackson, the fastest woman alive in the 200m and the reigning World Champion in the distance, also won the 200m at the Jamaican National Championships in 21.71, a season’s best.

On Sunday, she will compete in her first race since those championships when she lines up in a stacked 100m field at the Silesia Diamond League meet in Poland.

The field will include the likes of US 100m champion, Sha’Carri Richardson, British 200m champion Darryl Neita and Jackson’s countrywoman and third-place finisher at the Jamaican Championships, Shashalee Forbes. Twanisha Terry, Ewa Swoboda, Anthonique Strachan, Gina Luckenkemper and Zoe Hobbs complete the line-up.

Jackson explained her decision to compete in the 100m at tomorrow’s meet in a press conference on Saturday.

“As I said at the Jamaica Trials, it was to focus on the 100m and I think I mastered that so I’m just building from there,” Jackson said.

“I’m hoping to execute a good 100m tomorrow and see the result. The field is really good so it’s just to focus on my lane and execute. Hopefully, tomorrow will be a good day and if the weather stays as it is now, anything is possible,” she added.

As is customary when someone produces a time as fast as 10.65, Jackson was asked about the prospect of breaking Florence Griffith-Joyner’s 34-year-old world record 10.49.

“I think anything is possible,” Jackson said.

“For me, I don’t limit what I’m capable of, not because I started sprinting two years ago. I think I am capable of anything and once my coach and I work on the weak parts and continue to work on the strong parts, I think anything is possible,” Jackson added.

Rohan Watson, Sada Williams and Jonielle Smith were the Caribbean winners at Friday’s International Meeting of Athletics Solidarity Sport, a World Athletics Continental Tour Challenger meet in Lignano Sabbiadoro, Italy.

Watson, who shocked many Track and Field fans when he produced a personal best 9.91 to win the 100m title at Jamaica’s National Championships last week, ran 10.11 to take first place ahead of Liberia’s Emmanuel Matadi (10.17) and Cuba’s Yenns Fernandez (10.20).

Jonielle Smith ran 11.19 to lead a Jamaican 1-2-3 in the Women’s equivalent. Natasha Morrison, who finished second at the National Championships to book a place on Jamaica’s 100m team to Budapest, ran 11.25 for second while Krystal Sloley ran a personal best 11.41 in third.

Barbados’ Commonwealth Champion in the 400m, Sada Williams, ran a meet record and season’s best 50.80 to take the event ahead of Jamaican Charokee Young (51.13) and the USA’s Kaylin Whitley (52.01).

Jamaica’s national record holder in the 400m, Rusheen McDonald, ran a season’s best 44.83 to finish second behind Botswanan sensation Letsile Tebogo, who ran a personal best 44.75 to take the win. South African Lythe Pillay was third in 45.57.

In the field, Christoff Bryan produced a best jump of 2.19m for third in the high jump behind Italy’s Manuel Lando (2.25m) and Marco Fassinotti (2.22m).

In a jaw-dropping turn of events last Friday night at the National Senior and Junior Championships held at Jamaica's National Stadium, Rohan Watson, a rising star from MVP Track Club, emerged as the surprise victor in the highly anticipated men's 100m race.

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.”

Kingston's National Stadium witnessed a stunning performance by the relatively unknown sprinter, 21-year-old Kishane Thompson, as he blazed through the preliminary round of the 100m event at Jamaica's national track and field championships last Thursday. The crowd was left astounded by Thompson's remarkable time of 9.91 seconds, which not only surprised onlookers but also raised speculation about his absence from the semi-finals the following day.

Addressing the confusion surrounding Thompson's absence, Stephen Francis, the celebrated coach of MVP Track Club, shed light on a carefully crafted plan that accounted for the sprinter's limited participation at the national championships. Francis, renowned for nurturing the careers of track sensations such as Asafa Powell, Nesta Carter, and Michael Frater, unveiled a strategy designed to gradually shape Thompson into a formidable force on the world stage.

"He is fine. He trained this morning (Saturday.) It was always the plan for him to focus this year on running one-round races," Francis revealed in an exclusive interview with Sportsmax.TV. "In his previous two years with us, he struggled with injuries, running only four 100m races in that time and never participating in the national championships. Therefore, we decided that he should run one round here, deliver an impressive time, and then focus on competing in 'one' races in Europe. If he is required for relays, he will be available."

What made Thompson's performance even more intriguing was that Francis believed he could have achieved an even faster time during the preliminary round if not for the mismanagement of the event by the organizers.

According to Francis, athletes in the outer lanes of the 100m straight were unable to hear the starting gun due to a malfunctioning speaker, which disadvantaged runners from lanes six to eight throughout the heats. Thompson ran in lane eight. Despite presenting evidence of the issue, the organizers failed to rectify the situation.

While Thompson's time of 9.91 seconds was impressive, Francis emphasized that it fell short of their expectations, attributing it to the organizers' incompetence. However, he expressed confidence in Thompson's ability to run significantly faster in optimal conditions.

"He would have run significantly faster, but the most important thing is that he feels healthy and can look forward to the rest of the summer," Francis explained. "Our plan is to ensure that next year, in the Olympic year, he will have the necessary racing experience and a different attitude to tackle the full program."

Thompson's sensational performance has thrust him into the spotlight, leaving fans eagerly anticipating his future endeavors. As part of Francis' meticulously devised plan, Thompson will continue to compete in carefully selected races across Europe this summer, honing his skills and building his experience. The coach's expertise and guidance will undoubtedly shape Thompson into a potent contender in the sprinting world.

Zharnel Hughes revealed he has ended up in hospital in the pursuit of glory after underlining his World Championships credentials.

The 27-year-old is the fastest man in the world this year over 100m having clocked 9.83 seconds in New York last month.

That broke Linford Christie’s 30-year national record and Hughes ran 19.77 seconds to win the 200m title at the British Championships on Sunday.

It completed the double after his 100m victory on Saturday. His time in the 200m was just a tenth of a second behind Noah Lyles’ world lead but would not have counted because of the 2.3m/second wind.

But Hughes, who needed a trip to hospital in Jamaica earlier this year after a punishing training session, knows he is a contender for titles at next month’s Worlds in Budapest.

“I am the fastest man in the world and it didn’t happen overnight,” he said, aiming to end the 20-year British medal drought in the men’s 100m at the World Championships.

“It took a lot of hard work. If you were to see some of the clips of me training you will see why I’m so happy with the results.

“I push myself tirelessly. I ended up in hospital because I couldn’t breathe, my sugar dropped a little bit but I’m here, excited and running fast. I was forcing myself to hit the times and the recovery times.

“That day was a difficult day for training. I over-exerted myself. I didn’t pass out but I couldn’t recover properly and every time I tried to get up I couldn’t stand up for long.

“I’m grateful to see the rewards happening for the hard work. We still have time to go and I can get a lot faster. I know I’m in the shape to run 19 seconds, that’s what is exciting. It can come again.”

Meanwhile, Daryll Neita defended her 200m title in Manchester after opting to focus on the longer distance and not aim to retain last year’s 100m crown.

She said: “I got my first ever individual medals last year, both were probably not as good as they should have been so I went into the winter and worked on so many things and my mindset has evolved.

“I’m not scared to beat people, I want to be number one. I also know where the ranks are, I know who is running 10.6 and 10.7 (in the 100m). I’m not there yet but I’m working towards it.

“I’ve done a lot of 100m, but not a lot of 200m. This week was getting more practice at the event. I’m not bothered about people’s predictions, opinions or validations.”

Laura Muir suffered a surprise 1500m defeat as she finished second to Katie Snowden. Having split with long-term coach Andy Young earlier this year she is training on her own in the lead up to Budapest.

“There’s a lot going on at the moment,” she said.

Keely Hodgkinson also threw down the gauntlet to her rivals and is ready to fight for global gold.

The 21-year-old is set for Budapest as she prepares to face Athing Mu and Mary Moraa.

The USA’s Mu has beaten Hodgkinson to 800m gold at the Olympics and last year’s World Championships in Eugene, with the Brit twice forced to settle for silver.

Kenya’s Moraa beat Hodgkinson at the Lausanne Diamond League meet last month and came third in the States last year.

But Hodgkinson, who won the 800m at the British Championships on Sunday, is enjoying the battle and having a target on her back after her stunning rise since becoming the youngest ever women’s 800m European indoor champion in 2021.

She said: “I do like it; I like the idea of give it all you’ve got – try to beat me today. Some days I’ll lose but hopefully most of the time I’ll win.

“They say getting to the top and maintaining it is the hardest part, I found that. There’s a bit more of a target on your back but I enjoy it, I don’t mind it.

“I’m looking forward to it, we’ll race each other and see who comes out on top. I think this year will maybe be closer than previous years between all three of us

“It’s hard because I don’t race them very often. Every year is different, indoors I was beating Mary quite easily, now it’s really hard. I don’t know what can happen. Going into Budapest I’ll run my race and no-one else’s.”

Katarina Johnson-Thompson threw 12.86m in the shot put before running 23.58 seconds to come third in her 200m heat as she prepares for the heptathlon in Hungary.

Shericka Jackson is making a habit of writing down her goals and speaking them into reality.

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.

In a remarkable display of resilience and determination, Olympic relay gold medallist, Briana Williams, defied the odds and made a triumphant comeback at the Jamaica National Athletics Championships on Friday night.

Despite battling injuries throughout the season, she managed to finish fourth in the highly competitive 100m race, clocking in at a season's best time of 11.01 seconds.

The race was dominated by some of Jamaica's finest sprinters, with Shericka Jackson leading the pack and setting a world-leading time of 10.65 seconds to claim victory. Sashalee Forbes, who achieved a personal best of 10.96 seconds, secured second place, closely followed by Natasha Morrison in third place with a time of 10.98 seconds.

For Williams, this achievement was nothing short of miraculous. Just a week prior, her hopes of participating in the trials seemed bleak after suffering an injury. However, through the relentless efforts of the staff at the YB Rehabilitation Centre, she made a remarkable recovery, defying the odds to secure a spot on Jamaica's team for the upcoming World Athletics Championships in Budapest.

In a post-race interview, Williams expressed her gratitude, acknowledging the support she received during her challenging journey. "Last week, the unbelievable happened to me, and I wasn't even sure if I was going to run at trials this week. The YB Rehabilitation Center worked tirelessly on me, and I just want to thank God that I made it out here and was able to run all three healthy races," she revealed.

 While the fourth-place finish may not have been her ultimate goal, Williams remained positive, focusing on the progress she had made despite the setbacks.

"The season's not over. I still have more personal bests to run, but I just want to thank God that I still made the team," she said, emphasizing her determination to continue improving.

The Olympic relay gold medallist also highlighted the improvements in her race execution, crediting her coaches at Titans International for their unwavering support and guidance. She acknowledged the hard work they put into refining her performance and expressed confidence in her increased strength compared to the previous year.

“Definitely a lot stronger than last year. Just a few more things to work on and just focused on being healthy for the rest of the season so I can get lower my times each race.

“Right now it's going well. I'm just happy that I made it without feeling it (the hamstring) and I'm so grateful.”

After a pair of scintillating 100m finals on day two of the JAAA/Puma National Senior and Junior Athletics Championships, Shericka Jackson and Rohan Watson emerged as the champions.

Jackson, already the second fastest woman ever in the 200m, became the joint-fifth fastest woman of all-time in the 100m with a magnificent, world-leading 10.65 to defend her national title.

Sashalee Forbes was second in a personal best 10.96 while Natasha Morrison ran 10.98 for third.

Briana Williams ran a season’s best 11.01 for fourth while double Olympic sprint champion, Elaine Thompson-Herah, was fifth in 11.06.

In the men’s equivalent, Rohan Watson, the 21-year-old who turned heads when he ran a then-personal best 9.98 in the heats on Thursday, proved that was no fluke as he held his nerve to stun the field, and the National Stadium crowd. His winning time was 9.91, another personal best.

Ryiem Forde dipped under 10 seconds for the first time, running 9.96 for second while Oblique Seville ran 10.00 for third, narrowly finishing ahead of Jamaica’s leader in the event this year, Ackeem Blake, who ran 10.01 in fourth.

St. Lucia’s Julien Alfred and Guyana’s Emmanuel Archibald emerged as 100m gpold medalists at the CAC Games in San Salvador on Monday.

Alfred, coming off an outstanding NCAA season for the Texas Longhorns, transferred her form to San Salvador to win in a CAC Games record equaling 11.14 ahead of Jamaica’s Yanique Dayle (11.39) and Cuba’s Yunisleidy Garcia (11.50).

This was St. Lucia’s first ever CAC Games track medal.

On the Men’s side, Archibald produced a time of 10.24 for victory, just ahead of the Dominican Republic’s Jose Gonzalez (10.26) and the British Virgin Islands’ Rikkoi Brathwaite (10.26).

In the field, Jamaica’s Erica Belvit threw 70.04m for silver in the Women’s hammer throw. Venezuela’s Rosa Rodriguez won gold in a games record 71.62m while Colombia’s Mayra Gaviria threw 68.61m for bronze.

The BVI’s Djimon Gumbs threw 19.00m for bronze in the men’s shot put. He finished behind the Mexican pair of Jairo Moran (19.18m) and Uziel Munoz (20.81m).

Two-time double Olympic sprint champion, Elaine Thompson-Herah, made her much anticipated season debut in the 100m at the JAAA All Comers Meet at the Ashenheim Stadium at Jamaica College on Saturday.

The 30-year-old ran a pedestrian, by her standards, 11.23 to win comfortably win ahead of Racers Track Club’s Jodean Williams (11.38) and Titans International’s Shurria Henry (11.76).

This race almost never happened, however, as Thompson-Herah revealed in a very candid post-race interview that her persistent injuries almost caused her to quit the sport entirely.

“Honestly, I’m feeling good despite the fact that I’ve been out so long. It has been a challenging one but, I still hang on. I almost gave up but I have faith and I came out here to just test my body to see where I’m at. My training has not been how I wanted it to but, the fact that I missed so much and came out here and ran 11.23 today, I’m just grateful,” she said.

Prior to Saturday’s race, Thompson-Herah’s last competitive outing was a 200m race at the Tom Jones Memorial Invitational on April 14 where she ran 23.23 to finish second.

Between then and now, the sprinting superstar has struggled with injuries such as a persistent Achilles injury which hampered her for most of the 2022 season, shin splints and a knee injury which Thompson-Herah said “shut down my entire body to the point where I could not do anything.”

“The past couple months have been rough. Most days I’m not able to do anything so I’m just grateful I was able to be here in spikes. I’ve been bouncing spikes and track shoes so, to come out here and get a clean race, God is good,” said Thompson-Herah.

“People see us on the track all the time but they don’t know what comes behind that. I cried most mornings when I was driving home in my car because I see that I’m working hard and I’m not getting the results I want. I was on the verge of giving up, honestly, but God spoke to me and said ‘you cannot give up right now because I took you this far,” she added.

Despite her Olympic exploits, she has yet to win an elusive individual World Championship gold medal. Her best result in the 100m was her bronze medal from last year’s Eugene World Championships while she won a 200m silver medal at the 2015 edition in London.

So, why is it that she can’t replicate her Olympic successes at the World Championships? This is a question Thompson-Herah still can’t answer herself.

“I don’t know why World Championship season always seems very challenging for me. I have not changed anything, I’m not doing anything wrong but it’s like a test to see if I can do it or not. This one has tested me a lot and it tested me last year as well,” she said.

With the Jamaican National Senior and Junior Championships scheduled for July 6-9, Thompson-Herah says that she is going there with no expectations of a fast time, but instead just hoping for a spot on the team to Budapest later this year.

“I didn’t see trials coming, honestly. I’m just going there, not expecting the result, just trying to get into the top three. I’m not looking for a fast time or anything. I just want to make it to the World Championships and take it from there,” she said.

Zharnel Hughes sent shockwaves through the track and field world on Saturday when he sped to a personal best, world lead and British record 9.83 to take the win in the Men’s 100m at the USATF NYC Grand Prix at the Icahn Stadium.

The Anguilla-born Hughes, who currently trains under legendary coach Glen Mills at the Racers Track Club in Jamaica, recovered after being left at the start by Jamaica’s Akeem Blake and the USA’s Christian Coleman to obliterate his previous personal best of 9.91 done five years ago in Jamaica. Blake ran 9.93 for second while Coleman was third in 10.02.

Hughes, a former Class 1 100m record holder at the ISSA Boys & Girls Championships where he competed for Kingston College in 2014, broke the previous British record of 9.87, set by Jamaican-born Olympic and World Champion, Linford Christie, back in 1993.

In the Women’s equivalent, Aleia Hobbs was the only athlete to break 11 seconds, running 10.98 for victory.

Jamaica’s Briana Williams got her customary bullet start and was able to maintain her form and composure to run a season’s best equaling 11.04 in second while defending US champion, Melissa Jefferson, ran a season’s best 11.06 for third.

Jamaica’s Zandrion Barnes ran 45.05 to take the win in the Men’s 400m ahead of Matthew Boling (45.58) and Trevor Stewart (45.85).

The women’s equivalent was won by American 400m hurdles world record holder, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, in a personal best 49.51 ahead of teammate Gabby Thomas (50.29) and Jamaica’s Charokee Young (51.02).

2015 World Champion Danielle Williams was third in the 100m hurdles. In a race aided by a 2.8 m/s wind, American former world record holder, Kendra Harrison, ran 12.29 for victory finishing narrowly ahead of Alaysha Johnson (12.30) and Williams (12.33). Olympic bronze medallist, Megan Tapper, was fifth in 12.68.

18-year-old Surinamese phenom, Issam Assinga, ran 20.25 for second in the Men’s 200m behind World Champion, Noah Lyles, who ran 19.83 for the win. The USA’s Elijah Morrow ran 20.30 for third. With that time, Lyles has now tied double sprint world record holder, Usain Bolt, for the most sub-20 times in the 200m with 34.

In the field, Dominican Commonwealth Games silver medalist, Thea Lafond, produced 14.47m to win the Women’s triple jump ahead of the USA’s Kenturah Orji (14.30m) and Canada’s Caroline Erhardt (13.80m).

Traves Smikle threw 65.36m to take the discus crown ahead of Samoa’s Alex Rose (64.63m) and Jamaica’s Kai Chang (63.17m).

2019 World Championship silver medalist, Danniel Thomas-Dodd, threw 19.38m for second in the Women’s shot put behind American world leader Maggie Ewen (19.68m). Chase Ealey threw 19.25m for third.

Jamaica’s Kimberly Williamson cleared 1.83m for second in the Women’s high jump behind the USA’s Vashti Cunningham (1.95m). Jelena Rowe cleared 1.79m for third.

NCAA champions Julien Alfred and Ackera Nugent have been named among four nominees for the Class of 2023 Honda Sport Award for Track & Field, Executive Director of the Collegiate Women Sports Awards (CWSA), Chris Voelz, announced on Monday.

The Honda Sport Award has been presented annually by the CWSA for the past 47 years to the top women athletes in 12 NCAA- sanctioned sports and signifies “the best of the best in collegiate athletics”. 

The winner of the sport award becomes a finalist for the Collegiate Woman Athlete of the Year and the prestigious 2023 Honda Cup which will be presented during the live telecast of the Collegiate Women Sports Awards Presented by Honda on CBS Sports Network on June 26 in Los Angeles.

Alfred, a graduate student from Castries, St. Lucia, helped the Texas Longhorns to the 2023 NCAA National Outdoor Track & Field Championship team title and is a member of The Bowerman watch list.

The 2022 Commonwealth Games 100m silver medalist captured top honors in the 100m and 200m and holds the collegiate record in the 100m. She remains undefeated in the 100m on the season.

Nugent is a junior hailing from Kingston, Jamaica, and is also a 2023 Bowerman watch list honoree.

The Arkansas hurdler captured the 2023 NCAA Championship title in the 100m hurdles setting a new all-conditions collegiate record 12.25 in the event.

The record also ranks 10^th in the world. She swept the hurdles this year after capturing the 60m crown at the NCAA Indoor Championship.

The other Track & Field nominees are jumper Jasmine Moore from Florida and 400m and 400m hurdles star Britton Wilson of Arkansas.

Olympic and World Championship silver-medalist, Marileidy Paulino of the Dominican Republic, continued her unbeaten start to the 2023 season by outdueling American 400m hurdles world record holder, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, to win the 400m at the Paris Diamond League on Friday.

McLaughlin-Levrone, the reigning Olympic and World Champion and in the 400m hurdles, ran extremely aggressively in the first 300m before Paulino used her experience in the flat 400m to reel her in and cross the line first in 49.12. The American ran a personal best 49.71 for second while 2019 World Champion Salwa Eid Naser ran 49.95 for third.

Elsewhere on the track, Kenyan Faith Kipyegon, who set a spectacular 1500m world record in Florence last week, was at it again, running 14:05.20 to set a new world record in the 5000m. Ethiopia’s Letesenbet Gidey, the previous world record holder, was second in 14:07.94 while her countrywomen Ejgayehu Taye was third in 14:13.31.

Commonwealth Champion, Kyron McMaster, ran a season’s best for fifth in the 400m hurdles.

The BVI native, who fell at the LA Grand Prix on May 27, ran 48.65. The race was won by American CJ Allen in 47.92 ahead of France’s Wilfried Happio (48.26) and World Championship bronze medalist Trevor Bassitt (48.28).

Jamaica’s Natoya Goule ran a season’s best 1:58.23 for third in the Women’s 800m. Keely Hodgkinson took the race in a new personal best, British record and world leading 1:55.77 while American Ajee Wilson was second in 1:58.16.

2011 World 100m champion, Yohan Blake, ran 10.16 for fourth in the Men’s 100m behind reigning 200m World Champion, Noah Lyles (9.96), Kenya’s Ferdinand Omanyala (9.98) and Botswanan World Junior record holder Letsile Tebogo (10.05).

In the field, Jamaican 2019 World Championship silver medalist Danniel Thomas-Dodd threw 19.25m for fourth in the Women’s shot put behind Portugal’s Auriol Dongmo (19.72m) and Americans Chase Ealey (19.43m) and Maggie Ewen (19.26m).

National Under-20 100m record holder, Alana Reid, is now a professional athlete after signing with Auctus Global Sports, the management company announced on Instagram on Monday.

“We proudly welcome our newest addition to the AMP Global Sports Family! Give a warm welcome to Alana Reid, a phenomenal athlete with a personal best of 10.92! Get ready to witness her unstoppable determination as she takes on new heights with us! Welcome aboard, Alana!” the post said.

She joins the likes of Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, Akeem Bloomfield and Kenny Bednarek as a part of Auctus Global Sports.

Reid, who originally committed to competing on the NCAA circuit for the University of Oregon next season, has decided to turn professional after a remarkable 2023 season thus far.

The 18-year-old won the Class 1 sprint double at the ISSA Grace Kennedy Boys and Girls Championships in March, including her sensational 10.92 effort in the 100m. She ran 23.08 to win the 200m crown.

From there, Reid dominated with 11.17 to win Under-20 100m gold at the 50^th Carifta Games in Nassau, The Bahamas in April.

In her first outing against pros, Reid ran 11.08 for third in the 100m final at the USATF LA Grand Prix on May 27.