GOLDEN RUN
Clayton wins 100m in Nairobi
JAMAICA’S dominance in female sprinting at the global level continued yesterday in Nairobi, Kenya, as Edwin Allen High school’s 17-year-old star, Tina Clayton, struck gold in the 100 metres at the World Athletics Under 20 Championships in a personal best 11.09 seconds.
She joins Elaine Thompson Herah, the Olympic champion in the event and Shelly Ann FraserPryce, the World champion from 2019.
In yesterday’s final, Clayton was out of the blocks like a rocket and the race was over after 30 metres as she sprinted away from her rivals. Namibia’s Beatrice Masilingi who had posted a national junior record of 11.20 in the preliminary round and was expected to challenge Clayton for the gold medal, was way back in second place in 11.39 with Melissa Gutschmidt of Switzerland getting bronze in 11.51. Jamaica’s Kerrica Hill ended seventh in 11.67. Clayton was very pleased with her win.
“I expected a medal because the event was competitive but to get the win and the gold medal I am very elated . I worked on my starts a lot with my coach before the final because I was left in the blocks in the semi-finals and it paid off,” she said. Her high school coach Michael Dyke, who is also a member of the coaching staff in Nairobi, was delighted with Clayton’s success.
EXTREMELY PROUD
“I am extremely proud of Tina because she really worked hard for this one as this is something we had planned for. The COVID-19 pandemic was a blessing in disguise as there were not many meets and she just did enough to win at Girls Champs . I just want to thank all those people who made this happen and special big-up to her sister Tia who despite not competing in an individual event was there for her,” said Dyke, who was having his first coaching success at this level despite attempts from the likes of Kevona Davis and Christania Williams. In another final yesterday, Jamaica’s Kobe Lawrence finished eighth in the men’s shot put with a heave of 18.32 metres. Cuba’s Juan Vazquez Gomez won with a throw of 19.73m.
After a lukewarm opening first day on Wednesday Jamaica’s athletes had a very good day yesterday as all advanced to the next round of their events.
In the women’s 400m hurdles, Garriel Whyte, the top-ranked athlete in the event, won her heat in 58.65 seconds to have the fourth fastest time going into Saturday’s finals Moseiha Bridgen was second in her heat in 58.88 to be the sixth fastest going into the final.
Roshawn Clarke and Devontie Archer looked impressive in winning their heats to advance to tomorrow’s men’s 400m hurdles semi-finals. Clarke was extremely easy in clocking a personal best 50.93 to be the second fastest qualifier while Archer crossed the finish line in 52.17 for seventh overall.
Chevonne Hall ended third and 11th overall in the preliminary round of the men’s 800 metres in 1:49.47 to advance to today’s semi finals.
In field events, Ackelia Smith is through to today’s triple jump final after a third-place finish in her group. She was seventh overall with 12.99 metres.