O’Dayne Richards, a national senior record holder, won Jamaica’s first medal at Friday’s fourth North American Central American and Caribbean Athletic Association (NACAC) Open Championships in Freeport (The Bahamas). He took bronze in the men’s shot put thrown on Friday’s initial day.
Richards placed third with a throw time of 20.05m for his bronze. This was the only medal Jamaica won on the day.
Roger Steen, USA posted 20.78m and beat Adrian Piperi by 0.02m to win gold.
Jamaica’s Samantha Hall was fifth in women’s discus, with a time of 57.70m on her first attempt.
Laulauga Tausaga Collins, USA, won the gold medal with a throw time of 63.18m. This beat Denia Caballero of Cuba on 61.86m and Rachel Dincoff of America on 61.56m.
Kimberly Williamson, a bronze medalist at the Commonwealth Games from Jamaica, placed sixth in the women’s high jump with a leap of 1.75m.
Vashti Cunningham of the USA, an ex-world indoor champion, won gold with a jump of 1.92m. The nation also won all gold medals.
Rachel Glenn, a fellow American, won the silver medal with 1.84m. This was just enough to defeat Mexico’s Ximena Espavel who cleared 1.81m.
Andrew Hudson, the national 200m champion for Jamaica, advanced to the men’s final of 200m.
Hudson, who changed allegiances from the USA to Jamaica during July, won his semifinal heat with 20.25 seconds with the fastest time of the heats.
Jazeel Murphy (the other Jamaican sprinter) advanced to the final on-time after finishing third in his semifinal heat time in 20.80 seconds.
Jamaica will also have two women’s 200m representatives.
Natalliah Byte won her semifinal heat with 22.78 seconds. This was the second fastest time in heats. Ashley Williams advanced on time in 23.67 seconds finishing fourth.
Tajay Gayle of Jamaica, who won the gold medal for the men’s long-jump at the 2019 IAAF World Athletics Championships in shock, is now through to the final.
Gayle secured his place in Sunday’s final easily after recording 7.83m on his first attempt. His only attempt at 7.83m was enough to place him in the final. Shawn-D Thompson was next, with 7.76m.
