Eight standout athletes, including Jamaica’s Danielle Williams, walked away $100,000 richer as the Grand Slam Track Series concluded its opening leg on Sunday at the National Stadium in Kingston.
The two-time world champion, Williams won the women’s 100m in 11.54 seconds, narrowly defeating Ackera Nugent 11.57. Her runner-up finish in the 100m hurdles in 12.70 seconds added to her points, giving her a total of 20.
Olympic champion Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone dominated with a world-leading 52.76 in the 400m hurdles and 50.32 in the 400m. She earned the maximum 24 points. Brazil’s Alison dos Santos matched that feat, winning the 400m hurdles in 47.61 (WL) and 400m in 45.52. He topped the men’s Long Hurdles standings.
France’s Sasha Zhoya emerged the champion, clocking 12.96 in the 110m hurdles and 10.55 in the 100m for 20 points. Kenya’s Emmanuel Wanyonyi topped the men’s Short Distance category with 24 points after finishing second in the 800m in 1:46.44 and winning the 1500m in 3:35.18.
In the women’s Long Distance, Ethiopia’s Ejgayehu Taye was unbeatable, taking the 3000m in 8:28.42 and 5000m in 14:54.88. Grant Fisher of the U.S. edged Ethiopia’s Hagos Gebrhiwet by one point to win the men’s category.
Melissa Jefferson-Wooden swept the women’s 100m in 11.11 and 200m in 23.46, claiming the Short Sprints crown with a perfect 24 points.
An additional $100,000 was awarded to the top-scoring male and female athlete across all four meets.
Saturday saw four champions crowned: Gabby Thomas, Matthew Hudson-Smith, Kenny Bednarek, and Eribie Weltejdi in their respective categories.
With the first leg complete, the Grand Slam Track Series now shifts focus to Miami, scheduled for May 2–4. Athletes continue their pursuit of glory, and major paydays on the road to the Paris Olympics.