Triumph in Tokyo

TRIUMPH IN TOKYO 2025

Tajay Gayle’s 8.69m leap at the Doha World Championships won him the gold medal and broke James Beckford’s long-standing Jamaican national record in 2019.

2022 Eugene: In a great repeat performance, Ricketts finishes second in the World triple jump. 2024 Paris: With world record holder Yulimar Rojas (Venezuela) out, Ricketts is pipped by the heroics of Dominica’s Thea LaFond in a national record. 2024 Paris: With the top ranked throwers beaten, Roje Stona hurls the disc 70.0 meters to set a new Olympic record and win the gold medal, Jamaica’s first in the event. It was the clearest sign yet that Jamaica’s field stars were not playing supporting roles. They were now headliners here to stay. TOKYO 2025: THE NEW WAVE The upcoming championships will see a combination of proven champions and hungry young talent ready to take their place in history:

Long Jump • Tajay Gayle – The 2019 world champion is still a force to be reckoned with this season. • Carey McLeod – Ranked in the world top five, he is a threat for a medal. • Nikaoli Williams – Brings fresh energy and aggression (and a 2025 PB 8.13m) to the sand pit. Triple Jump • Jordan Scott – Already out to 17.52m this season, Jamaica’s top contender. • Shanieka Ricketts – The national record holder and perennial medal contender was recently ranked world #1. • Kimberly Williams, Imani Oliver, and Shantae Foreman – a trio with big meet experience. • Ackelia Smith – a rare dual threat in both long and triple jumps, she is in or close to the world top 10 in both events.

Maurice Smith became Jamaica’s most successful 10-eventer with a silver decathlon medal at the Osaka World Championships, 2007.