Day 3 of the national championship was absolutely epic! The national stadium was buzzing with surprises, disappointments, and celebrations.
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Nickisha Pryce, the 400m National record holder, took care of business in qualifying, crossing the line in first place with 49.63 ahead of Bajan Sada Williams. She was the only Jamaican to run under 50 seconds in the semifinals. Stacey Ann Williams ran 50.93, and Junelle Bromfield achieved a new personal best with 50.74, making them the next closest competitors.
Ackera Nugent blazed through the women’s 100mh, clocking in at a new season best of 12.46s to claim the top qualifying spot. Not far behind, Danielle Williams sizzled with a blistering 12.57s, securing the second qualifying spot, while Megan Tapper finished strong with 12.71s, marking the third fastest time.
In the men’s 110mh semi-finals, there was no shortage of action. Orlando Bennett dominated with a lightning-fast time of 13.28s, claiming the top spot. Rasheed Broadbell followed closely with a time of 13.32s, securing the second-fastest time of the day, and Hansle Parchment rounded out the top three qualifiers with 13.42s.
Carey McLeod soared to an incredible distance of 8.38m, seizing the national championship in a jaw-dropping performance. Shawn-D Thompson surprised everyone with a massive 8.30m leap, earning second place, and Wayne Pinnock closely followed, clinching third place with 8.27m. Initially Thompson’s jump was marked as a foul but was reinstated after a successful protest that will earn him a spot on the team to Paris.
Shanieka Ricketts, a powerhouse in Jamaican triple jump, defended her title with an astounding jump of 14.50m, fending off collegiate national champion Ackelia Smith, who claimed second place with a distance of 14.44m. Miami Oliver finished third with a jump of 13.69m.
The women’s 200m semi-final round kicked off with excitement as Shericka Jackson cruised to victory with a time of 22.67s, securing the top spot. Niesha Burgher impressed with a time of 22.90s, claiming the second fastest qualifying spot, while Lanae-Tava Thomas rounded out the top qualifiers with 23.04s.
In the men’s 200m semi-finals, Bryan Levell ran a time of 20.53s, claiming the fastest qualifying spot. Andrew Hudson followed closely with a time of 20.59s, securing the second fastest qualifying spot, and Shevior Reid came through with 20.60s, marking the third fastest time.
The men’s Discus finals were a thrilling spectacle as Travis Smikle unleashed a massive 67.08m throw, seizing the national championship. Roje Stona claimed second place with a powerful throw of 65.29m, and Ralford Mullings rounded out the top three with a distance of 64.92m. What a breathtaking day of championship performances!