KINGSTON, Jamaica— Jamaica’s rising star, Ackera Nugent, delivered an extraordinary performance at the Silesia Diamond League athletics meet, capturing her first Diamond League victory in the women’s 100m hurdles. The event, held at the Silesian Stadium in Chorzów, Poland, marked a significant milestone for Nugent as she twice broke the meet record.
Nugent stormed to victory with a blistering time of 12.29 seconds amidst a headwind of -0.5m/s, having already set a new meet record in the heats with 12.30 seconds (0.6m/s). This accomplishment follows her recent feats as both the national record holder and national champion. Nugent’s final-round victory saw her triumph over formidable opponents, including American Grace Stark, who finished in 12.37 seconds, and two-time World Athletics Championships gold medallist Danielle Williams, who clocked in at 12.38 seconds.
Other Jamaican Victories
Jamaica’s triumphs didn’t stop with Nugent. Fellow athletes Tia Clayton and Shanieka Ricketts also recorded significant victories. Clayton secured her maiden Diamond League win in the women’s 100m, while Ricketts clinched first place in the women’s triple jump with a distance of 14.50m. Ackelia Smith also competed in the triple jump, finishing fifth with 13.78m.
In other events, Rasheed Broadbell overcame a groin strain to finish second in the 110m hurdles with a season-best time of 13.05 seconds, narrowly behind Olympic champion Grant Holloway of the USA, who clocked 13.04 seconds. Meanwhile, Olympic silver medallist Daniel Roberts of the USA came in third with 13.24 seconds, and Orlando Bennett placed fifth at 13.35 seconds.
Personal Bests and Top Performances
Romaine Beckford showcased impressive form in the men’s high jump by setting a new personal best of 2.29m to secure second place. Italy’s Gianmarco Tamberi won the event with a jump of 2.31m, and Oleh Doroshchuk of Ukraine achieved third place also with 2.29m.
The women’s 400m hurdles race saw a strong Jamaican presence, with Rushell Clayton finishing third in 53.11 seconds. She was closely followed by Shiann Salmon (53.15 seconds) in fourth place, Janieve Russell (53.59 seconds) in fifth, and Andrenette Knight, setting a season’s best of 53.68 seconds, in sixth. The race was dominated by Femke Bol of the Netherlands, who set a new meet record with her winning time of 52.13 seconds, ahead of American runner Anna Cockrell’s 52.88 seconds.
In the men’s 100m, Ackeem Blake matched his lifetime best of 9.89 seconds to claim third place, trailing just behind American Fred Kerley (9.87 seconds) and Kenya’s Ferdinand Omanyala (9.88 seconds). Former national champion Rohan Watson finished in seventh place with a time of 10.18 seconds, while Olympic silver medallist Kishane Thompson did not start the race.
Challenges and Performances in Other Events
Roshawn Clarke secured fourth place in the men’s 400m hurdles with a time of 47.74 seconds, while Jaheel Hyde finished ninth in 50.57 seconds. Rajindra Campbell placed eighth in the men’s shot put with a best throw of 20.78m after starting the competition with two fouls.
The impressive collective achievements of Jamaican athletes at the Silesia Diamond League underscore the nation’s prominent position in the global track and field landscape. As they continue to push boundaries and set new records, the future looks exceptionally bright for Jamaica’s track and field prospects.
