As the Diamond League season comes to a close with finals in Brussels, Belgium, a total of 10 Jamaican athletes are looking to make their mark and win big prizes. Among them is Olympic Games women’s triple jump silver medallist Shanieka Ricketts, who will be competing for the Diamond League trophy and the US$30,000 first prize.
The two-day final at the Allianz Memorial Van Damme at the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels will see 32 disciplines being decided, with 23 Jamaican athletes, including four in invitational events, aiming for success.
Ricketts, along with compatriot Ackelia Smith, will be looking to secure a bye to next year’s World Athletics Championships in Tokyo as they compete in the women’s triple jump. The competition includes Cuba’s Leyanis Perez Hernandez and American Jasmine Moore as strong contenders.
Another Jamaican to watch is Wayne Pinnock, who will be aiming for back-to-back wins in the men’s long jump final against Olympic and World Champion Miltiadis Tentoglou of Greece. Pinnock has beaten Tentoglou in their last meeting and hopes to secure a bigger prize this time around.
Other Jamaican athletes to keep an eye on include Carey McLeod, Tajay Gayle, Danniel Thomas-Dodd, Natoya Goule-Toppin, Ackeem Blake, Rohan Watson, Fedrick Dacres, Rusheen McDonald, Stacey-Ann Williams, Stephenie Ann McPherson, Ackera Nugent, Danielle Williams, Rajindra Campbell, Roshawn Clarke, Malik James-King, Shiann Salmon, Janieve Russell, Andrenette Knight, Romaine Beckford, and Michael Campbell.
The competition will be fierce as these athletes go head-to-head with some of the best in the world in their respective events. With a bye to the World Athletics Championships on the line and top prizes up for grabs, the Jamaican contingent is poised to put on a show in Brussels. Let’s cheer them on as they look to end the Diamond League season on a high note!
