Fresh off their impressive victories at the JAAA National Junior and Senior Championships in Kingston, Jamaica’s sprint sensations Kishane Thompson and Tina Clayton are set to headline a formidable 14-member Jamaican team at this weekend’s Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, Oregon.
The 50th staging of the Prefontaine Classic, held at the iconic Hayward Field, promises fireworks on the track as Jamaica’s newly crowned national champions take on some of the world’s fastest athletes.
Thompson Targets Another Statement in Men’s 100m
Kishane Thompson, who electrified the Kingston crowd with a stunning 9.75-second finish, a personal best and stadium record, is poised to make his mark on American soil.
Now the fastest man in the world this season, Thompson will face stiff competition from Trayvon Bromell of the United States, ranked third globally with 9.84, and Jamaica’s Ackeem Blake, who clocked 9.88 for third at Nationals.
Also joining the fray are Zharnel Hughes of Great Britain and American Brandon Hickling, making the men’s 100m one of the meet’s most anticipated showdowns.
Tina Clayton’s Big Test Against World’s Best
On the women’s side, Tina Clayton, who shattered her personal record with a 10.81-second victory at Nationals, placing her third on the world list, is set for a fierce clash in Eugene.
She will battle the reigning Olympic medalists, including world leader Julien Alfred of St Lucia (10.75), America’s Sha’Carri Richardson, and the red-hot Melissa Jefferson-Woodham, who currently tops the world rankings at 10.73.
Other notable entrants include Twanisha Terry (USA, 10.85), Marie-Josée Ta Lou Smith (CIV, 10.92), and Britain’s Dina Asher-Smith (10.93). Unfortunately, Tia Clayton, ranked fifth this year with 10.86, will miss the meet due to injury.
An invitational women’s 100m will also feature Jamaican sprinters Alana Reid, Natasha Morrison, and Briana Williams, all looking to impress after missing the final at the National Championships.
Jamaicans in Other Key Events
In the women’s 100m hurdles, Ackera Nugent, the National Championships silver medallist with a 12.30 clocking, lines up alongside world champion Danielle Williams. The duo will test themselves against season leaders Masai Russell (12.17), Tia Jones (12.19), and Nigeria’s Tobi Amusan (12.24).
Dijanea Oakley, fresh from her second-place finish in the 400m at Nationals, will contest a non-Diamond League race, renewing her rivalry with NCAA champion Aaliyah Butler and Olympic champion Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone.
In the field events, national long jump champion Ackelia Smith (6.74m) faces a top-class field led by Germany’s Malaika Mihambo (7.07m) and USA’s Tara Davis-Woodhall (7.05m).
The men’s 200m will see national champion Bryan Levell (20.10) challenge USA’s Kenneth Bednarek (19.84), Botswana’s Letsile Tebogo, and American Kyree King.
In the men’s 400m hurdles, national medallists Asannie Wilson and Malik James-King will go up against world leader Rai Benjamin (46.54), Alison dos Santos of Brazil (46.68), and Qatar’s Abderrahman Samba (47.09).
Meanwhile, Ralford Mullings and Roje Stona will represent Jamaica in the men’s discus, while Rajindra Campbell competes in the men’s shot put.