Jamaica sends a “well-balanced” team of 60 athletes for the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo

Jamaica Athletics Administration Association president Garth Gayle has described the team selected for the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, which will be held from September 13 to 21, as “well-balanced”.

“This team is a mix of youth and experience. It’s all about performance on the day and I think the coaches have done a fantastic job”, said Garth Gayle. He added that Jamaica will miss the athletes who have chosen to switch their nationality to compete for Turkey, but it opens the door for others.

Veteran shot putter and multiple national champion Danniel Thomas-Dodd has also signaled she wants to be dropped from the squad for the championships.

“We received a letter from Danniel Thomas-Dodd at the last minute expressing her wish to withdraw. No reason was given but we accept her decision and wish her all the best”, said Garth Gayle.

He also explained the decision to include Tia Clayton in the team. Tia Clayton suffered an injury in the women’s 100m final at the National Championships and was unable to finish. However, she has since recovered and has performed very well in the Diamond League events in Europe.

“We have a selection committee and that was their discretionary decision. After failing to qualify individually at the Diamond League, she was included in the relay team. That was the only way she could make the team”, explained Garth Gayle. Tia Clayton narrowly missed out on the individual quota after placing second at the Diamond League finals in Zurich and is fourth in the world rankings with a time of 10.82 sec.

World leader in the men’s 100m, Kishane Thompson, and Diamond League champion in the women’s 100m hurdles, Ackera Nugent, lead Jamaica’s strong 60-member team. The line-up includes 30 men and 30 women.

Kishane Thompson, who leads the world rankings with a time of 9.75 sec, will be joined in the 100m by Oblique Seville, ranked fifth in the rankings with a time of 9.83 sec, and Ackeem Blake, ranked tenth with a time of 9.88 sec.

In the 200m, Jamaica’s hopes will be pinned on Bryan Levell, world number three with a personal best of 19.69 sec.

In the technical events, long jumper Tajay Gayle, ranked third with a season-high 8.34m, will lead the way. He will be joined by Jordan Scott, third in the triple jump with 17.52m, and Ralford Mullings, fourth in the discus with 72.01m.

On the women’s side, Ackera Nugent will be the leading competitor after winning the 100m hurdles at the Diamond League in Zurich in 12.30 sec. National champion Tina Clayton, ranked third in the world with a personal best of 10.81 sec, also bolsters the team. Olympic silver medalist Shanieka Ricketts, fifth in the triple jump with 14.64m, is another medal contender.

Also on the team are Shericka Jackson, defending her women’s 200-meter title, defending her 100-meter hurdles title Danielle Williams, and defending her men’s 400-meter title Antonio Watson.