2019 World Championship long jump gold medallist Tajay Gayle has left the MVP track and field club.

No reason has been given as to why the 2019 RJRGleaner National Sportsman of the year left the club based at the University of Technology in Kingston.

However, the 28-year-old national record holder looks set to start working with St. Elizabeth-based jumps coach Kerry-Lee Ricketts, husband of Shanieka Ricketts.

Ricketts has guided the career of his wife to silver medals at the 2019 and 2022 World Championships as well as silver at this summer's Paris Olympics.

Gayle struggled with knee injuries in the 2021 and 2022 seasons before returning to take bronze at last year’s World Championships in Budapest behind teammate Wayne Pinnock and Greece’s Miltiadis Tentoglu.

The opening day of the Diamond League Finals in Brussels on Friday was a triumphant one for Caribbean athletes, as Julien Alfred, Ackeem Blake, Tajay Gayle, and Marileidy Paulino all capped their seasons as champions, showcasing their dominance on the global stage.

 Julien Alfred, fresh off her historic Olympic gold in Paris, exacted revenge on American rival Sha’Carri Richardson in the women’s 100m. Alfred clocked 10.88 seconds, beating out Britain’s Dina Asher-Smith, who led for much of the race but finished second in 10.92. Côte d'Ivoire's Marie-Josée Ta Lou secured third in 11.05, while Richardson, who had edged Alfred in their last meeting in Zurich, faded to eighth in 11.23.

 Reflecting on her win, Alfred expressed her joy at finishing the season on a high. "I am so happy, it feels amazing to finish my season on a good note and to take the win. I am just so proud of myself. My preparation was a bit difficult, it was really hard for me after Zurich. But I think that actually prepared me for Brussels. That gave me the energy to do so good today, and during [the race], I tried to relax and to enjoy the last race of my season."

 Alfred hinted that losing her previous race to Richardson fueled her determination to perform well in Brussels. "I think losing kind of put me up again, I had to perform. I wanted to prove to myself that I deserve to be here and that I am not a one-time thing. Because after Zurich, I watched the race on YouTube to analyze my race, and I read some comments that said I was a one-time thing, and that’s really not nice to say. But I was here to prove to myself that I can win. But sometimes those comments can be very hard. And now I am going back to Saint Lucia and to Aruba! Last year I stayed in Austin, but not this year."

 Jamaica’s Ackeem Blake delivered one of the performances of the night, storming to victory in the men’s 100m in 9.93 seconds. In a field that included heavyweights like Olympic bronze medalist Fred Kerley, Christian Coleman, and Akani Simbine, Blake was the only sprinter to dip below 10 seconds. Coleman finished second in 10.00, while Kerley was third in 10.01. 

Blake, still riding high after a breakout season, admitted that he was surprised by his victory. "For me, it was a surprise to win here today. It was a very competitive field, and this was my first Diamond League final. It really means a lot," Blake said. "I’ve been working very hard this season, and I know this is just the beginning. There’s much more to come in the next few years."

 Marileidy Paulino, the Olympic 400m champion and the fastest woman in the world this year, continued her dominance by winning the 400m in 49.45 seconds. USA’s Alexis Holmes finished second in 50.32, with Ireland’s Rhasidat Adeleke rounding out the top three in 50.96.

 Jamaica's Stacey-Ann Williams secured second in the Women’s Invitational 400m, clocking 50.53, while Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone delivered a powerful performance to win the Invitational 400m in 49.11 seconds, underlining her incredible ability over the distance. Romania's Andrea Miklos finished third in 51.16.

 Stephenie-Ann McPherson, who will retire at the end of this season, finished fourth in her final Diamond League race with a time of 51.24, marking the end of an illustrious career.

In the men’s 400m, Grenadian legend Kirani James narrowly missed out on the title, finishing second in 44.63 behind Great Britain’s Charles Dobson, who won in 44.49. Zambia’s Muzala Samukonga finished third in 44.69.

  Tajay Gayle, who had endured an up-and-down season, saved his best for last, leaping to a season’s best of 8.28m to win the men’s long jump. Switzerland’s Simon Ehammer finished second with a jump of 8.16m, while Olympic champion Miltiadis Tentoglou settled for third at 8.15m.

 Despite his inconsistent performances throughout the season, Gayle's championship-winning leap reaffirmed his status as one of the best in the world.

 In the women’s triple jump, Cuba’s Leyanis Perez Hernandez claimed the title with a jump of 14.37m. Jamaica’s Shanieka Ricketts secured silver with a leap of 14.22m on her final attempt, while her compatriot Ackelia Smith jumped to 14.11m to take third.

 Jamaica’s Natoya Goule-Toppin battled hard to secure third place in the women’s 800m, clocking 1:58.94. Kenya’s Mary Moraa took the win in 1:56.56, while Great Britain’s Georgia Bell finished second in 1:57.50.

 With several standout performances, Caribbean athletes wrapped up their Diamond League campaigns in style, proving once again their dominance in world athletics.

Jamaican athletes Shashalee Forbes, Stephenie-Ann McPherson, and Orlando Bennett delivered standout performances, claiming victories in their respective events at the LX Palio Citta Della Quercia Meeting in Rovereto, Italy, on Tuesday.

Forbes, who was a semi-finalist in the 100m at the Paris Olympics, showcased her speed once again by winning the women’s 100m dash in 11.17 seconds. She edged out fellow Jamaican Natasha Morrison, who was a close second in 11.22 seconds. Morrison narrowly beat the USA’s Celera Barnes, who clocked 11.23 to take third place.

McPherson, a seasoned competitor nearing the end of her illustrious career, ran a season’s best of 50.65 seconds to triumph in the women’s 400m. In a thrilling race, McPherson held off a strong challenge from Barbados’ Olympic finalist Sada Williams, who finished just behind in 50.67. Another Caribbean athlete, Shafiqua Maloney, took third with a time of 50.75, completing an all-Caribbean podium. Jamaica’s Stacey-Ann Williams finished fifth in 51.12.

Orlando Bennett emerged victorious in a closely contested men’s 110m hurdles, clocking 13.45 to narrowly beat the USA’s Cordell Tinch, who finished in 13.46. Roger Iribarne of Cuba rounded out the podium with a time of 13.54.

In other notable performances, Zandrian Barnes of Jamaica finished second in the men’s 400m, running a season’s best of 45.30. Brazil’s Mathesus Lima won the race in a time of 44.99, while Belgium’s Johnathan Sacoor took third in 45.33. Rusheen McDonald of Jamaica finished fourth in 45.62, while Wendell Miller of the Bahamas was sixth in 45.74.

In the field events, Jamaica's Romaine Beckford continued his strong post-Olympic form, finishing second in the high jump with a clearance of 2.26m. Italy’s Gianmarco Tamberi took the win, clearing 2.29m. In the long jump, Jamaica's 2019 world champion Tajay Gayle also secured a second-place finish with a leap of 7.96m, just behind winner Anvar Anvarov, who jumped 7.99m. Gayle's compatriot Shawn-D Thompson also jumped 7.96m but finished third on countback.

The performances of the Jamaican athletes in Rovereto underscored their strength on the international stage, as they continue to make their mark late in the season.

Long jumper Shawn-D Thompson's impressive mark of 8.30m, achieved on Saturday, at the Jamaica National Championships, has been ruled out after lengthy deliberations by a jury of appeal. This decision has significant implications for Thompson's Olympic aspirations, as he is now no longer among the top three finishers and will not be heading to Paris this summer.

Thompson's sixth and final jump of 8.30m had initially placed him in a strong position. However, the jump was ruled a foul, and after being measured, the matter was sent to the jury of appeals. Following their deliberation, the jury decided to dismiss the appeal, thereby disqualifying Thompson's mark.

The ruling has altered the final standings of the competition. Carey McLeod's leap of 8.38m now secures him the first place, while Wayne Pinnock moves up to second with his jump of 8.27m. Tajay Gayle, the 2019 World Champion, who had initially missed out on a top-three finish, will now take third place with his jump of 8.13m.

The decision is a significant blow to Thompson, who had been eyeing a spot at the Paris Olympics. In contrast, it is a fortunate turn for Gayle, who has been one of Jamaica's top performers in the long jump and now gets another opportunity to showcase his talents on the world stage.

Bahamian 400m Olympic Champion Steven Gardiner, and Jamaica’s World Championships long jump finalist Carey McLeod, stood out among the Caribbean performances as they topped their respective events at the Wanda Diamond League in Doha, Qatar on Friday.

McLeod, who was fourth at the Xiamen meet, displayed mark improvement on this occasion to top the event with a wind-aided leap of 8.52m. He recovered from a failed attempt at the start to cut the sand at 8.14m, before achieving the winning leap on his fourth attempt in a positive 5.2 metres per second wind reading.

The 26-year-old topped a stacked field which included Greece’s Olympic and World champion Miltiadis Tentoglou, who had to settle for second on this occasion with a season’s best leap of 8.36m. Switzerland’s Simon Ehammer (8.30m), was third, while Jamaica’s 2019 World champion Tajay Gayle (8.01m) was fifth, and Bahamian LaQuan Nairn (7.59m) eighth.

For Gardiner, it was a case of picking up where he left off, as he continued his rich early season form in the 400m with another classy display. He went out hard from lane five and quickly covered rivals on the outside at the 250m mark, before pulling away in the latter stages to win in 44.76s.

Zambia’s Muzala Samukonga, closed fast for second in a season’s best 45.07s, while Botswana’s Leungo Scotch (45.29s) was third.

Also in the field, Grenada’s two-time World champion Anderson Peters placed third in an intriguing men’s javelin throw, which saw India’s World and Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra beaten into second.

Czech Republic’s Olympic silver medallist and last year’s Diamond League winner Jakub Vadlejch (88.38m) outlasted his Indian rival, who fell just short with a throw of 88.36m, while Peters’ best mark of 86.62m came on his final attempt. All three men hit season’s best marks.

Meanwhile, in arguably the performance of the night, Brazil’s Alison Dos Santos romped the men’s 400m hurdles event in a breathtaking World Lead and Meet Record 46.86s. He bettered his previous Meet Record of 47.24s set in 2022, while reaffirming his status as one of only five men to break the 47-second barrier in the event.

Elsewhere on the track, Jamaican Natoya Goule-Toppin attempted a late rally in the women’s 800m, but she had to settle for sixth in a season’s best 1:59.74.

The event was won by Kenya’s world champion and 2022 Diamond League winner Mary Moraa, who kicked off 2024 campaign with a season’s best 1:57.91, just lowering the 1:57.96 she clocked a few weeks ago at the Kip Keino Classic on home soil.

Britain’s world indoor silver medallist Jemma Reekie (1:58.42) was second, while Benin’s Noelie Yarigo, the indoor bronze medallist, placed third in a season’s best 1:58.70.

In the men’s 200m, Jamaican Oshane Hudson clocked a season’s best 20.53s, which was only good enough for seventh, as American Olympic silver medallist Kenny Bednarek threw down the gauntlet where his Olympic title ambitions are concerned.

Bednarek clocked a personal best and World Leading 19.67s to win the half-lap event in a positive 1.7 metres per second wind reading, and also smashed Noah Lyles’ previous Meet Record of 19.83, set in 2018. His compatriots Courtney Lindsey (20.01s), the previous world leader, and Kyree King (20.21s) were the runners-up.

The women’s 100m was won by Britain’s Daryll Neita, who followed up her 200m in Suzhou with another strong performance on her seasonal bow in the event. She closed fast to win in a season’s best 10.98s, ahead of the American pair of Tamari Davis (10.99s) and Celera Barnes (11.02s) in a blanket finish.

Jamaica’s Natasha Morrison was seventh in a season’s best 11.37s.

Jamaica’s Carey McLeod secured bronze in the men’s long jump final on day two of the World Athletics Indoor Championships, as Saturday’s morning session yielded mostly positive results for Caribbean athletes in Glasgow, Scotland.

McLeod, who just missed a medal at last year’s World Athletic Championships in Budapest, cut the sand at a new season’s best 8.21m. He placed behind Greece’s World Champion Miltiadis Tentoglou and Italy’s Mattia Furlani, who both leapt to a mark of 8.22m.

Another Jamaican, Tajay Gayle was sixth at 7.89m, while LaQuan Nairn of the Bahamas was 15th at 7.59m.

McLeod's medal is Jamaica's second at the Championship, adding to Ackeem Blake's bronze won in the men's 60m final on Friday.

On the track, St Lucia’s in-form sprinter Julien Alfred, Bahamian Anthonique Strachan, Barbadian Tristan Evelyn, as well as Jamaicans Briana Williams and Shashalee Forbes, all progressed to the women’s 60m semi-finals, after contrasting performances in their respective heats.

Alfred, 22, comfortably won her heat in 7.02s and headlines the qualifiers, as Strachan (7.24s), Williams (7.22s) and Forbes (7.17s), all placed second in their heats, while Evelyn (7.17s) was third in heat four.

Beyonce Defreitas (7.44s) of British Virgin Islands, and Trinidad and Tobago’s Michelle-Lee Ahye, despite a season’s best 7.26s, failed to progress, as both placed fifth in their heats.

The women’s 60m semi-final and final is scheduled for Saturday’s evening session.

Elsewhere on the track, Jamaica’s Damion Thomas and Tyler Mason, both failed to progress in the men’s 60m hurdles, after both placed sixth in their respective heats in 7.73s and 7.86s.

Jamaica’s Natoya Goule-Toppin also missed out on a spot in the women’s 800m final, following a sixth-place finish in her semi-final race. Goule-Toppin stopped the clock in 2:01.41.

Meanwhile, Ken Mullings of the Bahamas, started the men’s Heptathlon on a positive note, as he placed third in his heat of the 60m dash in a personal best 6.83s.

Mullings also registered a new lifetime best of 7.69m when he placed fifth in the long jump, and that was followed by a heave of 14.49m in the shot pot. By virtue of those performances, the 26-year-old currently occupies third position on 2684 points, behind Switzerland’s Simon Ehammer (2800 points) and Estonia’s Johannes Erm (2739 points).

They still have the high jump, 60m hurdles, pole vault and 1,000m to come.

Ackeem Blake and Sashalee Forbes will lead Jamaica's contingent to the World Athletics Indoor Championships in Glasgow, Scotland. Jamaica will compete in the 60m, 60m hurdles, 400m, 4x400m relay, 800m, long jump, triple jump and shot put at the championships set to run from March 1-3.

Blake, the second fastest Jamaican ever,  will be Jamaica's sole competitor in the Men's 60m while Forbes and Briana Williams will contest the 60m dash.

Olympic bronze medalist Megan Tapper is the lone female in the 60m hurdles. Tyler Mason and Damion Thomas will go in the men's event. Giano Thomas is named as the reserve.

Meanwhile, Stacey-Ann Williams and Charokee Young will take on the world's best in the Women's 400m. Rusheen McDonald will run the two-lapper for the men.

Williams and Young are also named among the relay squad that includes Junelle Bromfield, Stephenie-Ann McPherson, Andrenette Knight, Leah Anderson and Lanae-Tava Thomas.

In the field, Carey McLeod and Tajay Gayle have been selected to contest the long jump competition with Kimberly Williams will take on the triple jump.

Daniniel Thomas-Dodd and Rajindra Campbell will throw the shot put.

Former JAAA president Dr Warren Blake is the team manager with Maurice Wilson being the Technical Director.

Wilson will have on his coaching staff Reynaldo Walcott, Paul Francis, Orville Byfield and Mark Elliott.

Day one at the 2024 Tyson Invitational in Fayetteville, Arkansas on Friday saw a number of Caribbean athletes producing excellent performances.

Perhaps the best performance on the day came from 2022 Commonwealth 110m hurdles champion Rasheed Broadbell.

The 23-year-old produced a personal best 7.56 to take the men’s 60m hurdles ahead of countryman Tyler Mason who ran a personal best 7.65 in second. LSU Sophomore Matthew Sophia was third in 7.67, also a personal best.

The women’s 60m Open saw a Caribbean top three as Tina Clayton won ahead of twin sister Tia with Bahamian Anthonique Strachan finishing third. Tina’s winning time was a season’s best 7.25 while Tia’s time in second was 7.28 and Strachan’s in third was 7.30.

The men’s equivalent saw reigning Jamaican National 100m champion Rohan Watson run 6.76 to finish as runner up behind American Lawrence Johnson who ran 6.70. Another American, Tony Brown, ran a personal best 6.78 in third while Jamaica’s Michael Campbell ran 6.80 in fourth.

The College men’s 60m saw Bahamian Florida Sophomore Wanya McCoy produce a personal best 6.65 to finish second behind LSU Sophomore Myles Thomas (6.62). Thomas’s teammate, Godson Oghenebrume, also ran 6.65 in third.

The women’s College 400m saw Jamaican National champion Nickisha Pryce produce a personal best 51.04 to take the win. Her time also puts her #3 on the all-time Jamaican indoor list.

The Arkansas Junior finished ahead of her schoolmate Kaylyn Brown who ran a personal best 51.49 for second while Rosey Effiong completed the Arkansas 1-2-3 with 51.65 in third.

The women’s Open 400m saw Lanae-Tava Thomas and Stacey Ann Williams run 51.88 and 52.33 for second and third, respectively. American Alexis Holmes won in a meet record 50.80. Another Jamaican, Andrenette Knight, ran 52.68 in fourth.

In the field, 2019 World champion and national record holder, Tajay Gayle, opened his season with 8.15m to finish second in the men’s long jump. Gayle, who also took bronze at the World Championships in Budapest last year, also produced a 7.99m effort in his series on Friday.

The event was won by Florida Senior Malcolm Clemons with 8.17m while Bahamian Laquan Nairn produced 7.93m for third.

The race for Jamaica's Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year for 2023 has officially begun, with the announcement of the nominees on Wednesday. The 63rd RJR Sports Foundation Women and Men Athletes of the Year will see a fierce competition among some of the nation's top athletic talents, with World Athletics Championships gold medallists Shericka Jackson, Danielle Williams, and Antonio Watson among the standout contenders.

The nominees for the People's Choice Award include Jackson's impressive 200m victory, Williams' triumph in the 100m hurdles, and Watson's groundbreaking performance at the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest. The anticipation for these accolades is high, considering the outstanding achievements of these athletes on the global stage.

The winners of the prestigious awards will be unveiled during a ceremony scheduled for January 19, 2024. Jackson, who is considered a heavy favorite to secure the award she shared with Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce in 2022, showcased another stellar season, adding a silver medal in the 100m at the World Championships in Budapest. Her exceptional form was highlighted by securing the Diamond League 100m and 200m titles in Eugene, Oregon.

Williams, too, enjoyed a remarkable year, surprising many by claiming victory in the 100m hurdles in Budapest, where she outperformed formidable rivals such as Jasmine Camacho-Quinn, Kendra Harrison, and Tobi Amusan.

The competition for the Women Athlete of the Year is intensified with the inclusion of World Championship bronze medallists Rushell Clayton and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, along with Suncorp Super Netball League standout Jhaniele Fowler.

Antonio Watson, the trailblazing Jamaican sprinter, leads the nominations for the Men Athlete of the Year. Watson made history as the first Jamaican man in 40 years to clinch the gold medal in the World Championships 400m.

The list of male nominees also features World Championships 110m hurdles silver medalist and Diamond League champion Hansle Parchment, along with standout long jumpers Wayne Pinnock, Tajay Gayle, the silver and bronze medalists from Budapest as well as Pan American 400m hurdles champion Jaheel Hyde, and motorsports star Fraser McConnell.

The People's Choice Award nominations encompass memorable moments, including Shamar Nicholson's equalizing goal in the recent CONCACAF Nations League quarter-final match against Canada and Drew Spence's incredible free kick against Canada in their Olympic qualifier.

The selection panel, chaired by Mike Fennell, boasts a distinguished lineup including retired media practitioner Courtney Sergeant, Olympian Deon Hemmings-McCatty, President of Jamaica’s Inter-Secondary School Sports Association Keith Wellington, and Michael Hall, former chairman of the Sports Foundation and League Operations Manager of the Caribbean Premier League.

Tajay Gayle finished second in the long jump at the Diamond League finale in Eugene, Oregon on Sunday during a keenly contested event that saw the top-two tied in terms of distance achieved.

Gayle, the 2023 World Championships bronze medallist, soared out to a distance of 8.22m but had to settle for the runner-up slot to Switzerland’s Simon Erhammer, who also achieved a mark of 8.22 but won on the countback against the 2019 world champion.

Erhammer had additonal marks of 8.12m, 8.10 and 8.06m when compared to the Jamaican, who other best jumps were 8.08m and 8.06m.

Finishing third was Japan’s Yuki Hashioka, who jumped a season-best 8.15m.

Laquan Nairn of the Bahamas failed to break the 8m barrier, finishing seventh with a best of 7.27m.

World Championship sprint-relay silver medallist Natasha Morrison and sprint hurdler Amoi Brown emerged victorious in their respective events at Sunday’s Meeting Citta' Di Padova 2023 in Italy.

Morrison, who ran the lead off leg for Jamaica who won the 4x100m relay silver medal at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary last month, stormed to victory in the 100m clocking a time of 11.15.

The USA’s Twanisha Terry, who incidentally, was on the USA’s gold-medal winning team, was close behind in 10.21. Briana Williams, who was also a member of the Jamaican relay squad, took third place in a time of 11.39.

Brown, meanwhile, who just missed out on a place on Jamaica’s team to the world championships when she finished fourth at her country’s national championships in July, had better fortunes on Sunday when she dominated the 100m hurdles.

Running into a headwind of -0.8m/s, Brown’s time was 12.83. She had daylight between herself and second-place finisher Hanna Toth of Hungary, who clocked a pedestrian 13.20 with Japan’s Mako Fukube close behind in third in 13.25.

Meanwhile, in the men’s 100m dash, Michael Campbell of Jamaica, finished second in 10.28 after he was pipped at the line by the USA’s Kyree King, who ran a winning time of 10.27. They raced into a headwind of -0.7m/s.

Canada’s Aaron Brown finished third in 10.31.

In the long jump, World Championship bronze medallist Tajay Gayle had to settle for second place after his jump of 8.00m was bettered by France’s Tom Campagne’s effort of 8.09m. Reece Ademola of Ireland jumped 7.97m to secure the other podium spot.

Just as he did in Budapest last week, Greek superstar Miltiadis Tentoglu saved his best for last to deny a Jamaican victory at the Zurich Diamond League on Thursday.

Tentoglu entered the sixth and final round of the men’s long jump in third place with a best jump of 8.04m behind the USA’s Jarrion Lawson and Jamaican 2019 World Champion, Tajay Gayle.

The 25-year-old then produced a winning jump of 8.20m in the sixth and final round. Gayle, who took bronze in Budapest, finished second with a best jump of 8.07m done in the fourth round while Lawson’s 8.05m done in round five was good enough for third.

This end of this competition was eerily similar to the competition in Budapest where Tentoglu entered the sixth round trailing another Jamaican, Wayne Pinnock, before coming up big with an 8.52m jump to take gold.

It may not have ended how they would have wanted but Jamaica’s Wayne Pinnock and Tajay Gayle had something to celebrate, as they took silver and bronze behind Greece’s Miltiadis Tentoglou in the men’s long jump final at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary on Thursday.

The intriguing contest saw Tentoglou, the Olympic Champion and last year’s World Championships silver medallist, snatching victory from Pinnock with his very last jump, while Gayle did the same in edging the other Jamaican Carey McLeod, for bronze.

Pinnock led most of the competition with his best mark of 8.50m and Gayle achieved his best, a season’s best 8.27m on his sixth and final jump, much like Tentoglou cut the sand at the winning 8.52m with his last attempt. McLeod, who also had a best mark of 8.27m, lost the bronze on the count back.

This was the first time Jamaica has won two medals in the long jump event.

Like it was in qualifying, Pinnock was again poetry in motion where execution is concerned, as he was perfect off the board and that propelled him to an opening mark of 8.40m.

Though Olympic champion Miltiadis Tentoglou of Greece soared to season’s best of 8.50m on his opening attempt, Pinnock was not perturbed. Instead, he followed up his first effort with a big 8.50m on his second attempt, to overtake the Tentoglou on the countback, after the Greece athlete overstepped on his second effort.

With Tentoglou hitting 8.39m on his third attempt and Pinnock cut the sand at 6.39m, the stage was set for what was expected to be a mouth-watering clash on the three additional jumps.

However, Pinnock, only managed 8.03m, 7.96m and 8.38m during that series, while Tentoglou had a no jump, followed by 8.30m and the winning 8.52m.

Gayle, the 2019 World Champion, who wasn’t too convincing in qualifying, was again slow into stride with his first jump being an underwhelming 6.50m. However, he recovered well to cut the sand at 8.17m on his second attempt in a positive 0.4 metres per second wind reading, but later fouled his third attempt.

His last three attempts saw a foul, followed by 8.11 and 8.27m, as he found rhythm late.

It was a similar trend for McLeod, who opened with 7.90m, before cutting the sand at 8.27m in a positive 0.8 metres per second wind, on his second attempt, but overstepped on the third attempt where he landed awkwardly.

From there it was downhill for Carey, who registered 6.57m and 7.19m, with the other being a no jump.

You can catch live action of the 2023 World Athletic Championships by downloading the Sportsmax App.

There were mixed fortunes for the Caribbean men in long jump qualifying, as a Jamaican trio of Wayne Pinnock, Carey McLeod and Tajay Gayle all progressed to the final, while Bahamian LaQuan Nairn missed out on day five of the World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary on Wednesday.

It is the first time ever that Jamaica will have three athletes in the long jump final at a global athletics championships.

It was one and done for Jamaica’s Pinnock and McLeod, while Gayle took his time to get going before hitting a reasonable mark to secure a spot in the final scheduled for Thursday at 12:30pm Jamaica time.

The 22-year-old Pinnock was poetry in motion where execution is concerned, as he was perfect off the board and that propelled him to a big world-leading mark of 8.54m in a positive 1.2 metres per second reading, which left him in shock.

“The first thing was just to execute as coach told me, push off on the first six steps, maintain my transition and then just run through the board which is what I did. But when I saw the distance, I was like ‘wow’, I wasn’t expecting that, but I’ve thought of this moment every night before I go to bed,” Pinnock said after his leap.

McLeod followed suit on his try, as he also cleared the automatic qualifying mark of 8.15m, cutting the sand at 8.19m in a positive 0.5m/s wind, on his first attempt.

Meanwhile, 2019 World Champion Gayle needed two jumps to find his rhythm, cutting the sand at 7.84m and 7.68m, respectively before leaping to 8.12m in a negative 0.7m/s wind, which was good enough to get him into the final.

Cuba’s Alejandro Parada (8.13m), will also line up in the medal event.

You can catch live action of the 2023 World Athletic Championships by downloading the Sportsmax App.

Newly minted men’s 100m champion Rohan Watson and defending world champions Shelly-Ann Fraser Pryce and Shericka Jackson headline a powerful Jamaican team named Wednesday to represent the country at the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary.

Watson, the surprise winner of the men’s 100m will campaign alongside Ryiem Forde and 2022 World Championship finalist Oblique Seville. Ackeem Blake who just missed out on the top three spots in the 100m has been listed as an alternate but he will be a member of the 4x100m squad that will also include Tyquendo Tracey and Michael Campbell.

Fraser-Pryce will be going for her sixth world title with Shericka Jackson, the reigning national champion in both 100m and 200m, campaigning alongside her. Also down to contest the 100m is Sashalee Forbes and Natasha Morrison.

Briana Williams and Elaine Thompson-Herah have been selected as members of the 4x100m relay team.

Andrew Hudson and Rasheed Dwyer will contest the men’s 200m while Jackson, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Natalliah Whyte and Kevona Davis will take on the 200m. Sashalee Forbes has been named as an alternate for the 200m, presumably on the likelihood that Fraser-Pryce will not go in the half-lap sprint.

The Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) put to rest the likelihood of Rusheen McDonald, who is the fastest Jamaican in the world this year over 400m, contesting the one-lap sprint. McDonald, who has run 44.03 this year, the third fastest time ever run over 400m by a Jamaican man, failed to show up for the semi-finals of the national championships.

Zandrian Barnes has been given the nod, who failed to finish in the top three at the national championships in early July, but has met the qualifying entry standard of 45.00. He will contest the 400m along with national champion Sean Bailey and runner-up Antonio Watson.

Jevaughn Powell, Malik James-King and Demish Gaye will make up the 4x400m relay squad.

Nickisha Price, Candice McLeod and Charokee Young will compete in the 400m for women with Joanne Reid named as an alternate. Janieve Russell, Rhonda Whyte and Shian Salmon will make up the 4x400m relay squad.

Reid, meanwhile, will contest the 4x400m Mixed Relay along with Stacy-Ann Williams, Rusheen McDonald and D’Andre Anderson.

Navasky Anderson, who dramatically met the entry standard of 1:44.70 on the final day for qualification on Sunday, is only male 800m runner named on the team while Natoya Goule and Adelle Tracey will take on the women’s event. Tracey will also compete in the 1500m.

An area of great strength for Jamaica is the sprint hurdles. World leader Rasheed Broadbell, the 2022 Commonwealth Games champion, will lead Jamaica’s hunt for medals along with Olympic champion Hansle Parchment and the fast-rising Orlando Bennett. Tyler Mason has been named as an alternate.

 Olympic bronze medallist Megan Tapper will lead the charge for the Jamaican women in the 100m hurdles alongside NCAA champion Ackera Nugent, who is making her debut on the senior team, and 2015 World Champion Danielle Williams, who is also the 2019 bronze medallist.

Amoi Brown is selected as the alternate.

Newly crowned senior national champion and World U20 record holder Roshawn Clarke will take on the world’s best in the 400m hurdles along with Jaheel Hyde and Assinie Wilson while Russell, Andrenette Knight and Rushell Clayton, the 2019 bronze medallist, will go in the women’s race.

Salmon is the alternate.

Romaine Beckford is to represent the black, gold and green in the high jump for men with Lamara Distin and Kimberly Williamson set to take on the women’s event.

The impressive teenager Jaydon Hibbert, the world leader in the triple jump, will try to add world title to his World U20, Carifta, NCAA Indoor and Outdoor titles. Two-time World championship silver medalist Shanieka Ricketts will go for a third medal in the women’s event and will be accompanied by NCAA silver medallist Ackelia Smith and Kimberly Williams.

Jamaica’s strength in the field events is further bolstered by the selection of Carey McLeod, Wayne Pinnock and the 2019 World Champion Tajay Gayle for the long jump while Tissana Hickling and Smith will contest the event among the women.

Newly crowned national record holder Rajindra Campbell and Danniel Thomas-Dodd will throw the shot put in their respective events.

Fedrick Dacres, the 2019 silver medalist, national champion Traves Smith and NCAA silver medallist will throw the discus in Budapest with Samantha Hall set to take on the women’s event. Last but certainly not least is the impressive Nyoka Clunis who will throw the hammer at the prestigious event where the world’s best athletes will congregate on August 19, 2023.