LIMA, Peru — Jamaica narrowly missed out on securing a second medal at the World Athletics Under-20 Championships held at Estadio Atletico de la Videna in Lima, Peru. On Wednesday, Deandre Daley finished fourth in the men’s 100m final with a time of 10.33 seconds (-0.9m/s).
In a closely contested race, Gary Card, Jamaica’s other representative in the event, finished fifth, clocking in at 10.44 seconds. South Africa’s Bayanda Walaza emerged as the surprise winner, taking gold in 10.19 seconds. This marks the third consecutive victory for an African athlete in this category, following back-to-back wins by Botswana’s Letsile Tebogo. Thailand’s Puripol Boonson secured the silver medal with a time of 10.22 seconds, while another South African, Bradley Nkoana, earned the bronze with 10.26 seconds.
Reflecting on his performance, Daley shared his disappointment. “I started tying up around 70 meters which is not like me at all. My start was not as good as I would have liked,” he lamented, expressing regret for not making it onto the podium.
Despite the near-miss for Daley and Card, Jamaica celebrated its first medal at the Championships thanks to Alana Reid. Reid clinched the gold in the women’s 100m, clocking 11.17 seconds (-0.0m/s) under very cold conditions that were less than ideal for sprinting.
Reid’s victory was part of a historic Caribbean sweep of the podium. Adaejah Hodge of the British Virgin Islands captured silver with 11.27 seconds, and Kishaena Niles of Barbados, who trains at the MVP camp in Kingston, secured bronze in 11.37 seconds.
Reid, who secured a bronze medal in the 200m two years ago in Cali, Colombia, expressed her elation post-race. “It’s something that I’ve really been working towards. In 2022, I came third in the 200, and I told myself, this is my last World Junior, so I just want to leave with something that I can look back on,” she said.
Reflecting on her preparation and performance, Reid added, “I was very pleased with my performance, knowing that I’ve been training so hard for this moment. It’s something that I really appreciate.”
Reid also took the opportunity to send a message to those who might underestimate Jamaican athletes: “Never count us out. We all come out here and give our best. Sometimes our best might not be good enough for you, but we are hardworking. We try our best to put a smile on our faces and on yours. It’s sometimes hard, especially in this type of weather, but nevertheless we give our best.”
