The heartbeat of Jamaican athletics thundered through the National Stadium in Kingston as the 2025 JAAA/Puma National Junior & Senior Championships delivered yet another unforgettable chapter in the island’s sprinting legacy. The highly anticipated men’s and women’s 100m finals didn’t just live up to the hype — they redefined it.
MEN’S 100M FINAL – A Historic Run Under Pressure
With the night air thick with anticipation and a delay caused by a tense moment — Oblique Seville nursing tightness in his hamstring just minutes before the final — the drama was already sky-high. Would he run? Should he? The crowd held its breath.
But when the race finally got underway, Kishane Thompson, cool as ever, exploded out of the blocks and blazed his way into Jamaican track history. In a sensational 9.75 seconds, the MVP Track Club star shattered his own personal best and equaled the National Stadium record. It was speed, power, and composure wrapped into one brilliant performance.
Seville, fighting past that worrying warm-up, showed true grit. He clocked 9.83 seconds to secure second place, securing his World Championship spot with a performance that proved both heart and health were still on his side. Ackeem Blake, always lurking in the shadows, stormed to third in 9.88 — making it the second straight year the trio of Thompson, Seville, and Blake swept the podium.
Even more impressively, four men dipped below 10 seconds, with Ryiem Forde clocking 9.98. Rohan Watson (10.04), Kadrian Goldson (10.07), Bouwahjgie Nkrumie (10.09), and Bryan Levell (10.43, after pulling up) rounded out one of the deepest 100m finals in Jamaican history.
WOMEN’S 100M FINAL – The Rise of Tina Clayton
If there was ever a changing-of-the-guard moment in Jamaican sprinting, it happened on Friday night. Tina Clayton, the quieter twin, stepped out of the shadows and into the limelight with a brilliant 10.81 seconds, a personal best and her first senior national title.
Her run was the perfect blend of precision and passion — a masterclass in timing and belief. With Shericka Jackson (10.88) and the legendary Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce (10.91) chasing hard, Tina held firm, crossing the finish line with a roar from the crowd and tears of triumph in her eyes.
“I’ve had a lot of sleepless nights,” she said, “but I’m happy. I just want to stay focused and healthy for the World Championships.”
Her victory was bittersweet, though. Just hours earlier, her twin sister Tia Clayton had lit up the semi-finals with a sizzling 10.86 but heartbreakingly pulled up in the final due to injury. The crowd felt it deeply — joy for Tina, concern for Tia.
Young Stars Shine in U20 Finals
Jamaica’s future looks just as bright. Riquelme Reid of Excelsior High delivered a commanding 10.23s win in the Boys’ 100m (18-19), holding off Antonio Powell (10.39s) and Tray Barrett (10.49s) of St. Jago High. On the girls’ side, Sabrina Dockery took the crown in 11.28s, with Briana Campbell (11.36s) and Jay-Deen Batchelor (11.78s) completing the podium.
🇯🇲 Conclusion: The Sprint Nation Reigns Supreme
From last-minute injury scares to jaw-dropping finishes, the 2025 National Championships proved once again why Jamaica remains the undisputed sprint capital of the world. It was a celebration of resilience, raw talent, and relentless drive — with both legends and newcomers rising to the moment.
The baton has been passed, but it’s still being run at record-breaking speed.
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