Shericka Jackson takes women’s win in 10.84 in Kingston as Caribbean nation’s sprinters fire out a warning shot ahead of Paris Olympics
Kishane Thompson had not raced all year before the Jamaican Olympic Trials but the 22-year-old unearthed a phenomenal performance on Friday (June 28) as he won the men’s 100m in 9.77 (0.9).
It makes him the ninth fastest man in history and the fourth quickest Jamaican behind Usain Bolt, Yohan Blake and Asafa Powell. It is also the best time in the world since 2022.
Oblique Seville was runner-up in 9.82 with Ackeem Blake third in 9.92.
It was Thompson’s first race since finishing fourth in the Pre Classic last September as he laid out his credentials as an Olympic 100m medal contender.
The fastest time in the world in two years 🔥
Kishane Thompson qualified for the Olympics in style after winning the 100m in the Jamaican trials with an incredible 9.77 (0.9) 🇯🇲
Watch out for the 22-year-old in the 100m in Paris 🇫🇷pic.twitter.com/vYTdqqLMMp
— AW (@AthleticsWeekly) June 29, 2024
“My coach (Stephen Francis) instructed me just to run the first 60 metres, nothing more, after that, shut it down,” he said. “If I came second or third, I would’ve made the team. The goal wasn’t to prove anything tonight, just run the 70 or 60 metres and see where I was.”
Thompson ran 9.91 in his heat in the Jamaican trials last year but withdrew from the rest of the meeting as an injury precaution. He struggled with more injuries in the winter but has now found his form when it matters.
“If he manages to survive the trials, then I think he will really be ready to run at the Olympics,” his coach said.
In the women’s 100m in Jamaica, Shericka Jackson won in 10.84 (-0.3) from Tia Clayton’s 10.90 with Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce third in 10.94. Olympic champion Elaine Thompson-Herah did not run due to injury.
Grant Holloway (Getty)
At the US Olympic Team Trials in Eugene, Oregon, Grant Holloway led Freddie Crittenden and Daniel Roberts under the 13-second barrier. Despite hitting a hurdle, the 26-year-old clocked 12.86 (2.0) as Crittenden ran 12.93 and Roberts 12.96.
Holloway is keen to make amends in Paris in August for his shock Olympic defeat to Hansle Parchment of Jamaica three years ago in Tokyo.
READ MORE: Noah Lyles wins US trials 100m
“Obviously, 2021 was a bitter end,” said Holloway. “My main goal here was to come out and make the team, first of all. Now, I go back and in four or five weeks be ready to do it again.”
Elsewhere at the US Trials, Noah Lyles ran 19.60 in the 200m semi-finals but with a 2.5m/sec tailwind and Hobbs Kessler ran a swift 1:43.71 in the 800m semi-finals.
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