Caribbean excellence lit up the track and field in Monaco on Friday, as Julien Alfred, Megan Tapper, and Jordan Scott delivered breathtaking performances at the Wanda Diamond League — reminding the world that the region remains a force to be reckoned with on the global athletics stage.
Julien Alfred Blazes to Victory in the 100m
Julien Alfred of Saint Lucia, the reigning Olympic champion, left no doubt about her status as one of the world’s fastest women. After a narrow loss at last week’s Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, Alfred stormed back with a blistering 10.79 seconds in the women’s 100m final — her third consecutive sub-10.80 performance.
With effortless power and precision, Alfred separated herself from the pack early, leaving American Jacious Sears (11.02) and New Zealand’s Zoe Hobbs (11.12) trailing in her wake. As the World Championships in Tokyo draw near, Alfred looks poised to challenge for another gold — and cement her legacy as the Caribbean sprint queen.
Megan Tapper Equals PB, Seizes Her First Diamond League Title
Jamaica’s Megan Tapper, fresh off winning her fourth national title, stepped onto the Monaco track with confidence — and left with glory. The Tokyo 2020 Olympic bronze medallist delivered a performance that thrilled fans and humbled rivals, clocking 12.34 seconds, a time that equalled her personal best and secured her first-ever Diamond League victory.
Tapper commanded the 100m hurdles from start to finish, outpacing a world-class field that included Switzerland’s Ditaji Kambundji (12.43) and the Netherlands’ Nadine Visser (12.56). With Olympic and World Championship experience under her belt, Tapper now heads into the rest of the season as a medal contender with serious momentum.
“That race in Kingston wasn’t a fluke,” Tapper declared post-race. “I’m focused, I’m ready, and I want gold in Tokyo.”
Jordan Scott Soars Into the Record Books with 17.52m Triple Jump
Jamaica’s Jordan Scott, who has been building a reputation as one of the world’s top triple jumpers, delivered the performance of his life in Monaco. Not content with one personal best — he broke it twice in one night.
Scott’s winning sequence included 17.10m in round two, and a then-personal-best 17.44m in round five. But the real magic came in the final round, when he unleashed a colossal 17.52m, marking the second-longest jump in the world this year and cementing his status as a medal favorite for the World Championships.
Algeria’s Yasser Triki, who briefly held the lead, had to settle for second with 17.23m. For Scott, who has now won multiple Diamond League meets this year, Monaco was a statement meet — loud and clear.
Nickisha Pryce Claims Bronze in the 400m
Jamaica’s rising 400m sensation Nickisha Pryce ran a season’s best 49.63 seconds to claim third in the women’s 400m. She finished behind Dominican Republic’s Olympic and World Champion Marileidy Paulino (49.06) and American Aaliyah Butler (49.09), who clocked a personal best.
Pryce, who recently defended her national title, continues to improve with every race and is one to watch in the Tokyo showdown later this year.
Other Notable Jamaican Performances
- Andrenette Knight took fifth in the women’s 400m hurdles with 54.54s, while Dutch superstar Femke Bol stole the show with a world-leading 51.95s and a meet record.
- In the men’s high jump, Raymond Richards and Romaine Beckford both cleared 2.23m to finish fifth and seventh, respectively.
Beyond the Caribbean: Lyles & Duplantis Impress
In other highlights, American sprint star Noah Lyles got revenge on Olympic champion Letsile Tebogo of Botswana in the men’s 200m, winning in a season-best 19.88 seconds. Meanwhile, Sweden’s Mondo Duplantis set a new meet record in the pole vault with 6.05m, though his attempt to break the world record again fell just short.
A Golden Glimpse of What’s to Come
With Julien Alfred, Megan Tapper, and Jordan Scott all delivering world-class wins, and rising talents like Nickisha Pryce making podium appearances, the Caribbean once again reminded the world that it breeds champions.
As the countdown begins to the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo, the performances in Monaco serve as both a warning and a promise: Caribbean athletes are peaking at just the right time.
From the speed of Alfred to the precision of Tapper and the power of Scott, this was more than just a Diamond League meet — it was a celebration of Caribbean excellence on the world stage.