Triumph in Tokyo

2025 TRIUMPH IN TOKYO

N owadays, it’s quite rare to find identical twins both performing at an international level in the same track and field events. Born five minutes apart on 17 August 2004 in deep rural Grange Hill, Westmoreland, the Clayton twins, Tina and Tia, have embarked on a fast, potentially remarkable journey in athletics. Since their talent was discovered, the super fast twins have featured prominently for their elementary and secondary school teams, and by extension, Jamaica. Before their meteoric rise with some noticeable high school performances, especially in the U15 age group, an important observer witnessed the sisters competing before their tenth birthday and decided to play a key role in nurturing their talent. “I saw them competing at the JTA/Sagicor National Primary Schools Athletics Championships in the under nine category,” said Michael Dyke, coach of eight time Jamaican high school champions Edwin Allen High. “From there, I spoke to their mother about joining my programme at Edwin Allen when the time is right.” A few years later, the twins made the 90 mile trek from Westmoreland to Frankfield, Clarendon to begin their tutelage under Coach Dyke. On 26 February 2019, Tia made international headlines after blazing to a 100m world U15 best 11.37 seconds (+1.7 m/s) at the Digicel Central Athletics Championships.

Jamaica’s Tia Clayton (3rd right) prepares for 4x100 relay action at the Paris Olympics. On the mend since an injury at nationals, her August 16 PB (10.82) could help her get to Tokyo if she wins the 2025 Diamond League. DOUBLE THE

The record lasted just over a month, however, as Tina, the firstborn, ran a sizzling 11.27 seconds (+1.4 m/s/) on 29 March 2019 to defeat Tia in their highly anticipated first encounter at the annual ISSA/ GraceKennedy Boys and Girls Athletics Championships, popularly called “Champs”. “It was a special moment for me and my most memorable win to date,” said Tina, who had stepped down in distance to run the shorter sprint. Contrary to popular belief in Jamaica, the fiercely competitive twins relish their sibling rivalry because it brings out the best in both of them. TROUBLE BUT TWICE THE JOY •• THE CLAYTON TWINS DOUBLE NOEL FRANCIS TIA TINA

But the inevitable result of either one losing makes matters doubly tricky. “I am not going to allow her to beat me and she feels the same way,” says Tia. “I like competing against her,” Tina says. “To know that my twin sister is in the race and we finish 1 2 is always a great feeling.” Oftentimes, it is difficult to distinguish between the twins with the naked eye unless they are competing in a 4x100m relay where Tina does duties on the back straight, with Tia typically on the anchor leg. Tina, who started out as a 200m specialist, leads their 100m head to head clashes 17 8. While Tina shows no preference for either the 100m or 200m, Tia identifies the 100m dash as her specialty. Both, however, are now focused on the 100m. There was a moment of despair for the twins when they met for the first time at “Champs”. They had been aiming for a 1 2 finish, but Tia was disqualified for a false start. Despite the disappointment, Tina regained her composure and produced a scorching run to win in a season’s best of 11.38 seconds ( 2.1 m/s).

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