Tina Clayton defends her World title on Wednesday's (3 Aug) third day of the World Athletics U20 Championships in Cali, Colombia
Tina Clayton defends her World title on Wednesday's (3 Aug) third day of the World Athletics U20 Championships in Cali, Colombia

Tina Clayton set a new championship and Jamaica junior record when she led her teammate Serena Cole home in the women’s 100 meters final at the World Athletics Under-20 Championships at the Pascual Guerrero Olympic Stadium.

Tina Clayton defends her World title on Wednesday's (3 Aug) third day of the World Athletics U20 Championships in Cali, Colombia
Tina Clayton defends her World title on Wednesday’s (3 Aug) third day of the World Athletics U20 Championships in Cali, Colombia

Tina Clayton, winning her second straight title at this level, stormed home in 10.95 seconds. Ironically, Elaine Thompson-Herah also clocked 10.95 seconds in Birmingham earlier in the day to win the Commonwealth Games gold medal.

The Edwin Allen graduate, despite having the fifth-best reaction time, got into her running and moved quickly away from the field to run the second sub-11-second race of her career. At the Jamaica Trials, she ran 10.96 to break Briana Williams’ previous Jamaica Under-20 record of 10.97.

“I feel really good,” Clayton said. “I didn’t have any record in mind or any personal best, but I worked hard, and the success has come,” said added while giving thanks for her achievements.

Serena Cole, who ran from lane seven and recorded one of the slowest reaction times, powered her way home in 11.14, the second-best time of her career. “It’s a great feeling to win the silver medal,” said Cole.

Shawnti Jackson, the daughter of former American 400m hurdles star Bershawn Jackson, was hot throughout the rounds but could only manage 11.15, a personal best, for bronze.

Tina Clayton, centre, Serena Cole, left, and Shawnti Jackson celebrate after the women's 100m final at the World U20 Championships in Cali, Colombia
Tina Clayton, centre, Serena Cole, left, and Shawnti Jackson celebrate after the women’s 100m final at the World U20 Championships in Cali, Colombia.

Meanwhile, Dermario Prince had a bad fall over the final hurdle. He was unable to finish the men’s 110-meter hurdles final. Bahamian Antoine Andrews won the event in a World Under-20 lead of 13.23. American Malik Mixon ran a personal best of 13.27 for silver and Matthew Sophia of the Netherlands, an Under-20 national record of 13.34.

Antoine Andrews won Bahamas' only medal so far at the World U20 Championships in Cali, Colombia
Antoine Andrews won Bahamas’ only medal so far at the World U20 Championships in Cali, Colombia

Delano Kennedy, 45.49, and Shaemar User, 45.96, both personal-best times, are into the final of the men’s 400 meters.

Dejanea Oakley booked her ticket in the women’s 400 meters final with 52.29. Rickianna Russell did not make it with her 54.44-second effort.

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Anthony Foster is a renowned Jamaican sports journalist, honored twice as the Jamaica sports journalist of the year (in 2004 and 2005). His journalistic achievements are globally recognized. Notably, he authored an award-winning article on Usain Bolt, the iconic 6-time Olympic champion, 11-time World champion, and record holder for the sprint double. This significant piece was published in the Jamaica Gleaner in 2004. Anthony's extensive coverage includes prestigious events such as the Olympic Games in Beijing 2008, London 2012, and Rio 2016. He has also provided coverage for seven (7) World Athletics Championships held between 2007 and 2022, alongside various other international sporting events. Noteworthy mentions comprise his coverage of the 2007 World Cup of cricket and his cherished experience reporting on the 2004 clash between his favorite football team, Argentina, and the USA.