Real Hope FA and Arnett Gardens FC played to a scoreless draw in Group A of the 2024 Concacaf Caribbean Cup at the National Stadium in Kingston, Jamaica.

Jeudy Jhonson attempted to score inside the box in the 33', but Arnett Gardens defender Alton Lewis was there for a crucial block.

The two teams exchanged opportunities in the 45'+3 as Peterson Pierre blocked an attempt from Kimani Arbouine. Steeve Mondestin was denied on the other end by Arnett Gardens goalkeeper Asher Hutchinson.

Jaheim Thomas had a look from outside the box in the 54', but Real Hope goalkeeper Gooly Elien got both hands on the attempt.

Watz Leazard had one of the best looks of the night in the 60' with a header on goal but Hutchinson was there for the timely denial.

Edgar Castellanos Ruiz was denied from outside the box in the 77' as Shane Watson closed in to cause a deflection.

Rushike Kelson struck from the edge of the box in the 86’, but Elien made another save.

Marlon Allen had a right-footed effort inside the box in the 90'+5, but Elien blocked the attempt to preserve his clean sheet.

Real Hope FA improved to five points to maintain its second place standing in the group. The Haitian club will face Mount Pleasant next Thursday and can advance to the semifinals with a victory.

Arnett Gardens is unable to advance to the semifinals with the draw. The Jamaican side will seek to end its campaign with a victory in its final group stage encounter against Cavalier FC next Thursday.

Jamaica’s Frazsiers Whip suffered a third-consecutive loss in the Concacaf Women’s Champions Cup as they were hammered 7-1 by Mexican counterparts Tigres UANL Femenil in another lopsided Group A affair at the National Stadium on Wednesday.

Ana Dias (sixth), Ana Seica (14^th), Thembi Kgatlana (23^rd), Alison Gonzalez (60^th), Belen Cruz (62^nd), and a brace from Stephany Mayor (81^st and 90+8) completed the rout for Tigres UANL.

Davia Richards (55^th) got Frazsiers Whip’s first goal of the tournament which served as a consolation for the St Catherine outfit.

The win propelled Tigres UANL to the top of the group on six points, while Frazsiers Whip remain rooted at the foot of the five-team table without a point. NY/NJ Gotham (three points), Alajuelense (three points) and CF Monterrey (three points) are the other teams in the group.

It was always expected to be another tough encounter for Frazsiers Whip and they found themselves behind when Dias fired home a firm right-footer from dead centre of the box.

Seica doubled the lead for the six-time Liga MX Femenil Champions when she rose above defenders to head past Italya Robinson in goal for Frazsiers Whip from a corner kick.

Davia Richards celebrates her team's first goal of the tournament.

Before the Frazsiers Whip could catch their breath, they found themselves further behind, as Kgatlana found space inside the 18-yard box to drive home a right-footed effort to put Tigres UANL 3-0 up at the break.

Needing a goal to lift their spirits, Frazsiers Whip got just that from Richards, who fired home, from an angle, 10 minutes into the resumption to give the Jamaican fans something to celebrate.

However, it was back to regular proceedings for Tigres UANL five minutes later when Gonzalez converted from the penalty spot after being felled inside the red zone.

Cruz then added a fifth two minutes past the hour mark as she slotted home from a weighted Dias cross.

It was then time for the Stephany Mayor show as the former Mexican captain got in on the act with a well-taken effort on the volley that gave Robinson no chance at a save.

Mayor then completed her brace and her team’s win with another tidy right-footed finish in time added.

Tigres UANL will next host Costa Rican champions LD Alajuelense on October 2 in Mexico, while Frazsiers Whip will welcome NWSL champions NJ/NY Gotham on the same day, at the National Stadium.

Jamaica’s Cavalier FC suffered their first loss of the Concacaf Caribbean Cup campaign as they were stunned 2-1 by Haitian counterparts Real Hope FA in a keenly contested Group A encounter at the National Stadium on Tuesday.

After taking an early lead through Dwayne Atkinson in the fourth minute, the reigning Jamaica Premier League (JPL) champions lapsed in concentration in the second half and Real Hope capitalised through Rikanel Chery (60th) and Steeve Mondestin (66th) to secure their first win of the tournament.

Despite the loss, Cavalier remain atop the standings on six points, two ahead of Real Hope, who inched up to second on four points. Mount Pleasant (three points), Police FC (one point), and Arnett Gardens (zero) complete the group.

Knowing a victory would put them one step closer to the semi-final, Cavalier started spiritedly and quickly broke the deadlock when Atkinson fired home from Shaquille Stein’s pass after a tidy buildup on the left channel.

The score remained unchanged at the break as both teams created a few half chances but failed to make them count.

Though there was a lengthy delay to the start of the second half, due to a section of the Stadium lights going out, Real Hope were unflustered and pulled level at the hour mark when Chery got on the end of Jeudy Jhonson’s through ball and fired home from close range.

The Haitian club found the lead six minutes later when Mondestin converted from the 12-yard spot after being awarded a penalty.

Still, Cavalier found a fresh wind at the backend of the contest and almost secured a share of the spoils, but Kaile Auvray’s well-struck effort was cleared off the line by Peterson Pierre five minutes from time.

Real Hope will seek to maintain its momentum against another Jamaican outfit, Arnett Gardens, next Wednesday at the same venue, while Cavalier’s next assignment will also be against the ‘Junglists’ on October 3.

It was a bittersweet start to life for Jamaica's new head coach Steve McClaren, as his Reggae Boyz were held to a goalless stalemate by 10-man Cuba in their opening Concacaf Nations League Group B League A encounter at the National Stadium on Friday.

There was an air of optimism surrounding the team, with fans eager to see how the former England manager would transform the Boyz, who were coming off a period of transition.

While the Boyz delivered for the most part in terms of their dominance in all aspects of the game, they failed to please where it mattered most—in the final third—as they squandered numerous chances and, as such, had to settle for a share of the spoils.

In fact, of the 21 shots taken, only seven were on target, and that, plus the fact that they had a numerical advantage after Yunior Perez was sent for an early shower in the 44th minute, underscores the Boyz's woeful presentation in the final third.

The point puts the Boyz and Cuba second behind leaders Honduras, who were 4-0 winners over Trinidad and Tobago in their contest. Only the top two finishers will progress to the quarterfinals.

From the first whistle, Jamaica looked sharper and quicker. McClaren’s tactical adjustments were evident as the Boyz played with a higher intensity, pressing the Cubans into their own half. 

Kasey Palmer and Michail Antonio got off a couple warning shots in the early exchanges, and the good-sized turnout of spectators became even more expectant of at least a 3-0 victory. However, their desires were not met as they watched and roared as the Boyz strung together wave after wave of attacks, but the finishing touch eluded them.

In the 19th minute, Antonio's header from a long cross came back off the upright, while Jamal Lowe's effort on the rebound sailed wide.

The Boyz had another opportunity to break the deadlock at the half-hour mark, but Lowe was hesitant in getting the shot off from deep inside the 18-yard box, and the chance went begging. 

Cuba tried to play their game and also found pockets of openings, the best of which came in the 41st minute when poor defending by Dexter Lembikisa allowed a run through on defence forcing Andre Blake to leave his line to avert the danger. Though Blake seemingly took out the attacker in his attempt to clear the ball, Cuba's appeal for a penalty was waved off.

Minutes later Lowe's slick pass sent Antonio on the break, but the West Ham United man was taken out inside the arc by Yunior Perez, who saw a straight red card from Salvadoran referee Filiberto Martinez.

The resulting freekick, a well-taken one by Demarai Gray, was equally well saved by Cuba's custodian, Raiko Arozarena, who ensured the game remained goalless at the break.

The Jamaicans again came out lively on the resumption, but for all their possession, the Boyz couldn’t put one in the back of the net and were frustrated by the resolute Cuban defence led by goalkeeper Arozarena. 

In the 54th, Gray made space to get off a stinging right-footer from inside the six-yard box, but the effort was kept out by Arozarena.

Minutes later, the Cuban custodian was again called upon to deny Palmer's right-footed effort. 

McClaren introduced a few fresh legs in Shamar Nicholson, Kaheim Dixon, and others with hopes that one of those might have better fortunes in front of goal. Not so.

In fact, one of the best chances in the backend of the encounter fell in the 77th to Nicholson, who at goalmouth somehow hit a right-footer over the crossbar as the fans groaned in disbelief.

For the Reggae Boyz, it was a missed opportunity to start the campaign with a win. However, the potential under McClaren’s leadership was clear, and so optimism abounds that their next fixture away to Honduras on Tuesday will turn out to be a better result.

After a frustrating spell on the sidelines due to injury, Reggae Boyz captain Andre Blake is back, fit, and eager to lead his team into a new era under recently appointed head coach Steve McClaren.

The talented goalkeeper, who has been a stalwart for both club and country, is ready to make his return for national duties as the Reggae Boyz prepare to open their Concacaf Nations League campaign against Cuba at the National Stadium on Friday.

Kickoff is 7:00pm.

Blake, who missed four to six weeks of action—including Jamaica’s failed Copa America campaign—after a meniscus surgery in May returned to training with his club Philadelphia Union in early July and has engaged a few games in his build up to once again sport the national colours.

He expressed his relief at being blessed with a clean bill of health and is ready to compete.

“It's always good to be back with the boys; the energy is good and the vibe is right at the camp. I've played eleven games since I've been back, quick succession games, so I guess you could say that was a test, and I've passed the test, so I'm good to go,” Blake declared.

“It was tough for me not being able to be with the boys, especially in the Copa, but I think they did well for the most part, but the game can be defined by small margins, and unfortunately, we fell short. But I think we're headed in the right direction, and Steve coming in and implementing these strategies got us excited, and we're looking forward to it, and I think there's great things to come,” he added.

Head coach Steve McClaren (left) and assistant Merron Gordon.

Blake’s return to the team couldn’t have come at a better time, with the Reggae Boyz entering a new chapter under McClaren, the experienced Englishman who recently took over from Heimir Hallgrimsson.

The 33-year-old shot stopper, who hails from Clarendon, admitted that the transition from Icelander Hallgrimsson to McClaren was bittersweet, as the players had developed a strong bond with the former coach. However, he quickly pointed out that the team is embracing the change and looking forward to McClaren’s leadership.

“It was a bittersweet moment, you know, because Heimir came in and he did a good job. You know, he definitely took us to another level, but things happened, and when we heard that Steve was coming, obviously, who didn't know him, had to do their research, and immediately we realized we were getting somebody with a great pedigree.

“So everybody was excited, as I said before, and we're all looking forward to it; now that we got a chance to meet and work together, you know, we're just excited and anticipating great things to come,” Blake shared.

McClaren, 63, a former England manager and Premier League coach, has wasted no time implementing his vision for the Reggae Boyz, which is to build on the platform established over the past two years in taking the team to a higher level.

According to Blake, the team has already bought into McClaren’s system, which emphasizes tactical discipline, hard work, and a winning mentality. Having responded positively to the new approach, Blake believes it will bring out the best in them.

“Yeah, since the first day (of camp), I said, everybody on the team is going to need to want the ball. Everybody in the team is going to have to be willing to run, defend together, and fight for each other. I have to agree with coach; if you want to be a really good team where you can go to the next level and compete and beat the US and Mexico, even the bigger teams, you have to be able to do these things and do them consistently,” Blake stated.

Reggae Boyz going through their paces.

“And as he said, if you're not willing to do it, you won't be in the room, and that's as simple as it gets. We have to set high standards and maintain them. So again, I'm really excited, and I'm just looking forward to it,” he noted.

Having placed third in the last Concacaf Nations League edition, Blake knows that a strong performance at home against Cuba is crucial to setting the tone for the tournament and, by extension, to once again establish themselves as serious contenders.

A win for the Boyz would put them in a good position to secure one of two spots from the group to the quarterfinals, as they seek to better that third-place finish.

But, beyond that, Blake highlighted the need to also continue progressing toward their ultimate goal—qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. With McClaren at the helm and a talented group of players, he believes they are on the right path to achieve that feat.

“The goal is always to keep improving and building toward the World Cup,” Blake said.

“We have a great group of players, and now with Steve on board, we have the leadership to get us to the next level. We’re all focused on the same thing—winning games, growing as a team, and making Jamaica proud,” he ended.

As Jamaica's Reggae Boyz prepare to face Cuba in their opening League A match of the 2024/25 Concacaf Nations League, newly appointed head coach Steve McClaren is brimming with optimism.

The former England manager has wasted no time setting his sights on long-term goals for the Reggae Boyz team, with a clear vision to elevate the country to new heights in international football.

For McClaren, the journey begins with a solid start in the Nations League, and he has been vocal about his expectations for the team to secure a win in his debut match as head coach. However, while results matter, McClaren is equally focused on developing a cohesive, competitive unit that can compete on the world stage.

Kick off for Friday's Group B encounter is 7:00pm at the National Stadium. 

A win for the Boyz would put them in a good position to secure one of two spots from the group to the quarterfinals, as they seek to better their third-place finish from the last edition of the tournament. 

"The first expectation is like every game, we plan to win and we expect to win. So that's the first message to them and then go out and win. That's basically it," McClaren stated confidently.

He continued: "It is a test, but it is more a focus on the performance. It won't be perfect; I know that over 90 minutes there will be ups and downs, good spells and bad spells, but I want to see just some of the things that we've worked on to know that the players are taking that on board and the team is developing in that, but also keeping the structure that they've had for the last two years and just help them develop from that. 

"Because I think if you want to compete, if you want to stay number one in the Caribbean, and you want to get in the top three of the Concacaf rankings, then you have to develop your game. We've worked with the players; we've talked with the players in terms of how we develop. So tomorrow is the first step and it's a big step, one in which we need to find a way to win but also show signs of the performance which we've worked on."

McClaren's emphasis on growth and development has resonated throughout the camp, where players have embraced his forward-thinking approach. The Englishman stressed that, while talent is crucial, the mindset and application of each player will also be integral under his tenure.

"We've introduced one or two small things—principles, non-negotiables—that we must have in a game, and it's not going to be easy. It's not going to happen straight away. We're going to have spells where maybe we try to build up, but we make mistakes, but we want the players to play; we want them to be able to deal with the ball and control the game in possession. So not just have a transition game, but to try and have some control, which is in possession, and also control the game out of possession. Once you're in good shape and maintain a good formation, you'll be hard to beat," McClaren noted.

"This is what I said to the squad, football is not about eleven players, it's about the starters and the finishers, and the finishers have a more important job than the starters because they have to finish the game. So subs are important. So in a situation where you're winning a game or you're losing a game, it's important that the squad, the players on the bench, also impact the game when they get a chance to, and that's also what I'm looking for. The sign of a good team is to stay in the game, finish the game, and score a winning goal, but also ensure we don't lose the game," the tactician reasoned.

"Everybody must be able to deal with the ball and take the ball in modern-day football, and if you want to go higher, you have to have players who can deal with that to get out of tight areas, pass through the lines, change play, switch play, and are comfortable on the ball. That's one thing. We attack with eleven; we defend with eleven. No more is the one where we leave the nine up front...he doesn't have to work or the eleven can cheat. Everybody has to work together in terms of that and I think the key thing is consistency. If we get consistency in those areas, then you get results on a more level basis. But as I said, it's a process," he added.

Since taking the reins, McClaren has beamed about the team's culture, lauding the camaraderie and spirit that exists among the players. He believes that this unity is key to Jamaica’s success and sees it as one of the team's greatest assets.

"I like the spirit. I like the energy. I like them smiling. They enjoy being around each other, and they put everything into the training session—the intensity, the desire to work. That's what I've liked. We've tried to introduce one or two things, but I think we need to keep things simple. I think the style of play had success, and I want to keep that. 

"I want to keep the foundation, keep the basics, and keep what they've had for the last two years where they've developed. They finished third in the last Nation's League; we want to continue that, but also we want to improve it. So I'm here to help the players go to the next level in which we can stay number one in the Caribbean, but also get up the rankings in Concacaf and the ultimate goal, which is qualification for the 2026 World Cup," McClaren shared.

While exuding confidence amidst the sense of excitement around what lies ahead under his leadership, McClaren is also mindful of Cuba's growth and, as such, warned against complacency.

"Cuba will be a difficult team. They performed very well in the Under-20 Concacaf tournament; they're developing, and they've got quite a few resources now. So the game is developing, their coaching is developing, and you can see that from the team's shape and structure, they're organised, they're disciplined, and I think the key thing is the coach who was leading the Under-20 team has now been moved to the senior team.

"So we have to make sure that we take the game to Cuba, use our individual talent in the final third, create and score chances, but also to make sure we're very dangerous on the transition, that our defence is right, and we get the balance between attacking and defence and demanding that we win," he ended.

Head coach of the Jamaica Men’s National Football Team, commonly referred to as the “Reggae Boyz,” Steve McClaren, spoke glowingly of his squad’s energy and enthusiasm ahead of their 2024-25 CONCACAF Nations League opener against Cuba at the National Stadium in Kingston on Friday.

McClaren, who was most recently part of Manchester United as a first team coach, was hired by Jamaica in July to replace Heimir Hallgrimsson, who has since taken up the role as manager of the Republic of Ireland.

The 63-year-old former Newcastle United and FC Twente coach will open his stint as manager of a Reggae Boyz unit who finished third in last season’s Nations League under Hallgrimsson, their best ever finish in the competition.

“Looking forward to it,” McClaren said in a pre-match press conference on Thursday.

“It’s been a long build-up since I first came over to Jamaica,” he added.

One thing that McClaren spoke glowingly of about his players is the energy and spirit he’s seen amongst the group ahead of Friday’s game, an important factor in any winning unit.

“It was nice to get into camp, meet the players, get on the grass and lose my voice from shouting too much. It’s been great. From the first day the players came in, it’s been great energy and spirit amongst them. They’ve shown that on the training field and we need to transfer what we’ve done this week onto the field tomorrow to get a result against Cuba,” he said.

Ahead of his first game in charge of the Reggae Boyz at home, McClaren, despite his 23 years of managerial experience, is feeling the nerves as is customary with anyone starting a new job in any profession.

“Always. I like that. It means you’re ready for the game. That’s what football is all about, doesn’t matter what level. When you play, you don’t quite know what’s going to happen. It’s football,” he said.

“We can control the controllable which we’ve tried to do. We just have to keep things simple. I’m going to concentrate tomorrow on the performance. If we get the performance from the players, normally you get the win,” he added.

When questioned about the style of coaching fans can expect to see from him going forward, apart from jokingly saying a “winning” coach, McClaren emphasized a focus on the basics and building on what has been done over the last two years.

“I’m quite a flexible, adaptable coach. I like the fundamentals. I like the basics. I like people knowing and doing their jobs, working hard, having a good attitude and being hard to beat. I think that’s the platform of all performances,” he said.

“If you’re easy to beat, too stretched and can’t defend, you don’t win football matches. That is what the team have developed over the last two years and I like that. It gives us a platform. We need to build from that platform now,” he added.

After a challenging spell on the sidelines, England-born Reggae Boyz defender Amari’i Bell is back with the national team and is already setting his sights on greater success.

Bell, a seasoned fullback who has been a key figure for Jamaica, is thrilled to rejoin his teammates and play under new head coach Steve McClaren, with their first assignment being the 2024/25 Concacaf Nations League.

The Reggae Boyz are set to host Cuba at the National Stadium on Friday before travelling to face Honduras four days later.

Bell, who missed significant time for both club and country due to a torn hamstring for which he had to do a repair surgery, expressed his excitement about returning to the Jamaican squad.

“It feels amazing to be back; it's been a long time now, but, you know, I'm happy to be here. It’s been tough being away from the pitch, and it was a big injury, one of my first of my career, so mentally it was hard to get back in a good place. But I went through the rough patch, and I'm now feeling good. I'm in good spirits and ready to go,” Bell shared.

“Like I said, it was a long time out and I had my ups and downs through the rehab process, but towards the end of it, I started to see the light a lot more and, yeah, mentally, my head is in a much better place,” he added.

Bell’s return comes at a crucial time for Jamaica, as they aim to build on their third-place finish in the last edition of the Concacaf Nations League.

The team’s performance was commendable, but Bell believes they have the potential to go all the way this time around, particularly with the guidance of McClaren, who brings a wealth of experience to the team.

McClaren, who has managed clubs in England’s Premier League and served as an assistant coach for the England national team, is known for his tactical acumen and ability to get the best out of his players.

“Yeah, for sure, for sure. Finishing third was a strong result, but we know we have the ability to do even better, so the plan is to go one step better this time and win it. That's the plan, and there's no reason why we can't do it. Everybody believes in ourselves and what we can do. So, yeah, we're going to go for it,” Bell said.

With his presence, Bell, who has 17 international caps since making his debut in 2021, adds depth and experience to Jamaica’s defensive line, a critical component as they aim to stifle the opposition in what promises to be a highly competitive tournament.

The 30-year-old’s ability to balance defensive duties with attacking support makes him a vital asset to the team’s ambitions.

“We’ve been building something special with this group. The chemistry is there, and the belief is growing. We know that winning the Nations League is a realistic goal, and we’re all committed to making it happen. We didn't do well in the Copa America as we thought we could have, but it's stepping stones,” Bell, who has two Concacaf Gold Cup and a Copa America appearance, noted.

For Bell, the opportunity to lift the Concacaf Nations League trophy would be a career-defining moment, much like it was when his club Luton Town earned promotion to the English Premier League (EPL).

Though his EPL experience was cut short due to the injury, Bell is eager to relive the experience.

“Yeah, man, that (Premier League experience) was amazing. It is something that everyone aspires to do in their career, and, you know, thankfully I got there. Unfortunately, it was cut short by the injury, so I still feel like I've got unfinished business there, and the aim with Luton is to get back promoted,” Bell declared.

While expressing his excitement as he prepares to lead the country into Concacaf Nations League battle, recently appointed Reggae Boyz Head coach Steve McClaren also warned against complacency all-round, mindful that the main objective is qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The Englishman is under no illusions that the challenge ahead will be easy but remains confident in the Reggae Boyz ability to perform at the highest level. The Boyz will bow into Nations League action on September 6 against Cuba at the National Stadium before visiting Honduras on September 10.

They will then visit Nicaragua on October 10, followed by a return-leg fixture against Honduras on October 14.

“I’m excited; I’ve been excited from day one. The biggest thing is to get started. I’ve called a few players and watched a few games in getting ready for Cuba on September 6. The Reggae Boyz have  great potential and I’m very proud to be a part of this journey, as it’s a privilege for anybody to coach a national team because you are representing a country,” McClaren said during an interview with Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) media.

McLaren, who boasts a wealth of experience coaching in and around Europe, including a stint as Manchester United’s assistant coach, underscored that the Nations League will serve as a crucial stepping stone in the team's preparation for World Cup qualification, offering them a platform to build momentum and fine-tune their strategies.

With the powerhouses Mexico, the United States, and Canada already qualifying for the World Cup as hosts, McLaren knows they can take nothing for granted, as every other team across the region will fancy their chances of booking a spot at the global showpiece.

“Every team in the Caribbean now will be thinking they have a chance. In football, there’s never an easy game; complacency is the biggest killer of all,” McLaren noted.

“Therefore, we can’t be complacent in the Nations League or the qualifiers for the World Cup. We must be committed, we must want to be here, and we must all be aligned to the goal of World Cup 2026, from the president [Michael Ricketts] all the way down,” the former England manager added.

That said, the 63-year-old welcomed the camaraderie among the current crop of players, which he believes will make his job that much easier, as his aim was always to ensure there was such a foundation.

“They look like they have great togetherness. I have spoken to players and staff, and everybody loves coming to join up for Jamaica. You have got to enjoy what you do, and that’s a great advantage. All I want to do is carry on with the good work that has gone on,” McLaren declared.

Malik James-King's journey to becoming Jamaica's 400m hurdles national champion is a story of grit, determination, and unwavering resolve.

Battling through personal and professional challenges, James-King's triumph at the JAAA National Senior Championships –on his birthday nonetheless –not only secured him a first national title, but also earned him a coveted spot on Jamaica's team to this summer's Paris Olympic Games.

James-King produced a stunning performance to upset the more fancied World Championships finalist Roshawn Clarke and in the process, became the second fastest Jamaican in history with a breathtaking personal best 47.42 seconds. 

The fact that his previous personal best was 48.39s tells the remarkable story of James-King's progress, as he demonstrates that perseverance can overcome even the most daunting obstacles. He is now ranked only behind Roshawn Clarke’s national record 47.34 seconds set at the World Athletics Championships last year.

"It’s been a tough road, there were moments when I thought I wouldn’t make it this far, but I always believed in myself and the process," James-King told SportsMax.TV.

"Once you tell yourself you can do something, then it is very much possible because I honestly came out knowing I was going to run 47. I just wasn't sure if it would be 47 low or high, so I am just going to go back to the drawing board and get my mind more focused because I think I can run faster," he added.

The atmosphere at the National Stadium was electric on Friday as fans eagerly anticipated the men's and women's 100 finals, but James-King celebrating his 25th birthday, had a lot to prove and he delivered in fine style to whet the spectators appetites ahead of the main events.

Though left a bit back in the opening phase of the race, the diminutive athlete surged ahead in the closing stages, each hurdle he cleared was not just a step towards the finish line, but a symbolic overcoming of the hurdles he had faced in life. When he crossed the finish line, the crowd erupted in cheers, recognizing the monumental achievement of a new national champion.

James-King bettered Clarke (48.04s), who was overwhelmingly favoured to defend his national title, and Commonwealth Games silver medallist Jaheel Hyde (48.35s).

"I didn't panic and I wasn't concerned either (when Clarke and Hyde went out fast). I was actually focusing on clearing each hurdle, so I was just focusing on my lane and my execution and not any of my competitors," James-King declared.

"I know the closing stages of the race is when I am strongest, so I just used that to my advantage and came home strong. I really need to work on the first 200m of my race though, it is a little bit too slow and the other guys are really fast in that period. So I'll be working on that going forward," he noted.

James-King credits much of his National Championships success to the invaluable lessons learned during his maiden Diamond League outing. Competing against some of the best athletes in the world, he gained insights that transformed his approach to the sport. He placed fifth in 49.51s at the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, Oregon. 

Prior to that, he clocked 48.39s to win at the Jamaica Athletics Invitational, and 49.09s at the Loas Angeles Grand Prix.

"The Diamond League was a game-changer for me. Competing at that level showed me what it takes to be among the best. The experience taught me about strategy, mental toughness, and the importance of consistency," James-King shared.

The former Calabar stalwart noted that observing and racing against seasoned athletes provided him with a deeper understanding of the nuances of the 400m hurdles. The exposure to different techniques and race strategies, he said was a eye-opener to refine his own approach, leading to improved performance.

"It was kind of scary because it was the first time coming out of my comfort zone, learning that these guys, they don't respect anyone and they're not afraid to run. So the first time running the Diamond League, I was like, they're way faster than me, they're way stronger than me, and they're more focused. 

"When I observe how they warm up, how they do everything, I was like, oh, damn, I'm not doing anything (to be at the level that they are). So I literally came back, talked to my management and support team and they were like, alright, so you know what you need to do. So there was a lot of buckling down, and a lot of focus, and I just came in here and just did what my coach said I could do," James-King revealed.

With a national title now to his credit, the Titans Track Club representative has already shifted focus to the Paris Olympic Games. Securing a spot on Jamaica's Olympic team is a dream come true for the young hurdler, but he is far from complacent.

"Winning the national title is just the beginning. I'm a lot more focused now and this (win) is a big motivation going forward. As I said, I'm not sure what the future holds, but I'm working to go to the finals at the Olympics. My preparation will be a lot more intense, a lot more watching videos of my performances to see where I can improve, and just going back to the joint board to work on strengthening the weak areas of my race," James-King ended.

2019 World Championship silver medallist Danniel Thomas-Dodd secured her ninth national title in the shot put on day three of the JAAA National Senior and Junior Championships at the National Stadium in Kingston on Saturday.

The 2018 Commonwealth Games champion produced a season’s best 19.32m to win ahead of Lloydricia Cameron (17.62m) and Danielle Sloley (13.55m).

Thomas-Dodd will be heading to her third Olympic Games.

The 31-year-old failed to make it out of the qualifying round in Rio in 2016 and Tokyo in 2021 and is hoping to go further in Paris.

“The number one aim is to make it to the finals and give myself a fair chance of putting together something nice,” she said.

“I know for sure it’s definitely going to take over 20m to get myself on the podium so my coach came to me and asked me to get 19.3 at the national championships. It’s definitely a step in the right direction,” she added.

Shericka Jackson claimed her third consecutive national 100m title on day two of the JAAA National Senior and Junior Championships at the National Stadium in Kingston on Friday.

The two-time World 200m champion produced a season’s best 10.84 to take top spot ahead of 19-year-old Tia Clayton who ran 10.90 to finish second after running a personal best 10.86 to get to the final.

Two-time Olympic champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce booked a spot at her fifth Olympic Games with 10.94 in third.

The top six was rounded out by Shashalee Forbes (11.04), Kemba Nelson (11.14) and Alana Reid (11.14).

“I’m feeling good. I just wanted to qualify and I did so I’m okay,” Jackson told the media after her race.

“I only ran one 100m before these championships and my 200m haven’t been the best but you just have to trust the process and I’m here today,” she added.

On the Men’s side, Kishane Thompson delivered on the promise he showed in both the heats on Thursday and the semi-finals earlier on Friday with a personal best and world leading 9.77 to win his maiden national 100m title.

Oblique Seville ran 9.82 to take second while Ackeem Blake ran a season’s best 9.92 in third.

Bryan Levell (10.04), Jelani Walker (10.04) and Jehlani Gordon (10.07) rounded out the top six in the final.

In the Under-20 100m finals, Edwin Allen’s Theianna-Lee Terrelonge ran a brilliant personal best 11.13 to win the girls final ahead of Muschett High’s Shanoya Douglas (11.28) and Lacovia’s Sabrina Dockery (11.29).

The boys equivalent was won by Gary Card of Wolmer’s Boys in a brilliant personal best of 10.07, the second fastest time ever by a Jamaican junior.

Herbert Morrison Technical’s Deandre Daley ran 10.16 for second while Kingston College’s Nyrone Wade was third in 10.36.

Malik James-King produced a stunning performance to win his maiden national 400m hurdles title on day two of the JAAA National Senior and Junior Championships at the National Stadium in Kingston on Friday.

James-King became the second fastest Jamaican in the history of the event with a massive personal best 47.42, almost a full second faster than his previous personal best of 48.39 done earlier this season, to claim the win.

National and World junior record holder and World Championship finalist Roshawn Clarke ran 48.04 in second while Commonwealth Games silver medallist Jaheel Hyde ran 48.35 for third.

“I just executed my race as best as I could,” James-King said after his stunning performance.

“I was just focusing on how I train, taking every hurdle as they come. I wasn’t really watching anyone and just running my race,” he added.

Regarding the time, James-King said he’s more excited than surprised.

Clarke was happy to get on his first Olympic team.

“The strategy tonight was to execute as best I could, get myself in the top three and make the team and work from there,” he said.

“I wanted to go faster but I made the team so I can’t complain,” he added.

Two-time World Championships bronze medallist Rushell Clayton continued her fantastic form this season with a massive personal best to claim her second national 400m hurdles title on day two of the JAAA National Senior Championships at the National Stadium in Kingston on Friday.

Clayton ran a brilliant 52.51, the second fastest time ever by a Jamaican, to add to her national title back in 2019.

Her previous personal best was 52.81 set at last year’s World Championships in Budapest.

Five-time national champion Janieve Russell will be going to her third Olympic Games after running a season’s best 53.33 in second while Shiann Salmon will be heading to her first Olympic Games after running a personal best 53.71 for third.

Clayton's time was just outside of Melaine Walker's national record 52.42 set at the 2009 World Championships in Berlin.

Kishane Thompson produced a stunning performance in the heats of the Men’s 100m on day one of the JAAA National Senior and Junior Championships at the National Stadium in Kingston on Thursday.

The Stephen Francis-coached sprinter produced a personal best 9.82, the joint, second fastest time in the world this year, to win the second heat. Ackeem Blake also went below 10 seconds for the first time this season with 9.95 to finish second behind Thompson in that heat and advance.

Sandrey Davison (10.00) and Sachin Dennis (10.04) both also made it through to Friday’s semi-finals from heat two after producing new personal bests while Nigel Ellis was the fifth semi-finalist from that heat with a time of 10.13.

Oblique Seville, who produced fourth place finishes at both the 2022 and 2023 World Championships, looked super comfortable on his way to 9.98 to win heat one ahead of Bryan Levell (10.07) and Jehlani Gordon (10.09). Levell’s time is a new personal best.

Julian Forte produced a confident 10.00 to win the third heat ahead of defending National champion Rohan Watson (10.07) and Tyquendo Tracey (10.09). Jazeel Murphy produced a personal best 10.11 to also make it through from that heat alongside Travis Williams whose 10.13 was also enough to make it through.

2023 World Championship finalist Ryiem Forde won the fourth and final heat in 10.02 ahead of Kadrian Goldson (10.12) and Jelani Walker (10.21).

The semi-finals and final are scheduled for Friday.