Triumph in Tokyo

2025 TRIUMPH IN TOKYO

CARIBBEAN CONNECTION: NON- JAMAICAN STARS WITH ISLAND TIES TO LIGHT UP TOKYO 2025 T here’s something in the island’s water – or maybe it’s the yam. Whatever it is, Jamaica’s power in the track and field world runs deeper than medal counts and anthem moments. While Jamaica is known globally for producing sprinting royalty, there’s also a new wave of Caribbean athletes headed to the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo 2025 who may not represent Jamaica on paper, but whose connections to the island are undeniable. Whether they trained in Jamaica, studied here, or are simply basking in the brilliance of the Jamaican coaching system, these athletes are proving that proximity to greatness can ignite more of it. Here’s a roundup of Caribbean SHELLY-ANN THOMPSON

nationals with deep Jamaican ties, ready to shake up the track in Tokyo:

rest of the world’s fastest.

DEVYNNE CHARLTON BAHAMAS Jamaican Connection: Qualified for Tokyo at the 2025 Racers Grand Prix in Kingston Event(s) : 100m Hurdles Career Achievement : World Indoor Champion (60m hurdles, 7.64s WR, 2024) Tokyo 2025 Outlook : Precision meets power. Charlton is in the world top 10 and loves Jamaican tracks – literally – after punching her ticket to Tokyo on the island. Expect her to hurdle her way into a final, and possibly even the podium. ANTHAYA CHARLTON BAHAMAS Jamaican Connection: The younger of the Charlton women competed in Jamaican meets, part of the same track circuit. Event(s) : Long Jump, 100m Career Achievement : Bahamas national champion and NACAC 100m bronze medal (2025). Tokyo 2025 Outlook : Anthaya is

JULIEN ALFRED SAINT LUCIA

Jamaican Connection: Attended St. Catherine High in Spanish Town, Jamaica, after she moved from Saint Lucia as a teenager to further her athletic development. Later, she headed to the University of Texas in the U.S. Her school days at St. Catherine were very instrumental in building a solid foundation of her sprinting career.

Julien Alfred

Event(s) : 100m, 200m Career Achievement : 2024 Paris Olympic gold (100m) and silver (200m) medallist; 2023 NCAA Indoor 60m and outdoor 100m champion. Tokyo 2025 Outlook : “JuJu” is running red hot. Alfred’s time in Jamaica helped sharpen her mental and physical game before she moved to Texas. Her explosive start and calm finish make her a real medal threat in Tokyo – especially in the 100m, where she’s expected to clash with the

The Charlton sisters, Devynne (top) and Anthaya