Jamaica’s athletes experienced a relatively good first day as the World Athletics Championships got underway in Budapest, Hungary.
Arguably the most impressive performance of the day came from sprinter Oblique Seville. He ran a personal best 9.86, the fastest time overall, to win his heat even while slowing near the end. National champion Rohan Watson qualified with 10.11 while Ryiem Forde did 10.01 to complete the triple promotion. The semifinals and final will be held on Sunday.
Triple jumper Jaydon Hibbert was superb in his first senior global event, posting a massive 17.70m to top the field in qualifying. The final will be held on Monday.
Fredrick Dacres and Travis Smikle qualified for the final of the men’s shot put with 65.45m and 65.71m, respectively. Roje Stona could only manage 62.67m which was not enough.
The quartet of Demish Gaye, Natoya Goule-Toppin, Malik-James King and Stacey Ann Willams were shut of the final of the mixed 4x400m relay as they finished fifth with 3:14.08 in their heat, ninth overall.
Rajindra Campbell was good in qualifying, getting the shot out to 20.83m and an automatic qualification for the final later in the day. Unfortunately, he was unable to repeat or better the performance in the final, fouling his allotted attempts.
Ackelia Smith kept the best for last in the women’s long jump, posting 6.78m before walking off to rest for Sunday’s final. National champions Tissana Hickling did not produce enough to advance, posting a modest 6.29m.