Jamaica’s sprinters and hurdlers are once again set to light up the international track and field stage as a wave of rising and established stars head into two major competitions this weekend. From the International North Thuringian Athletics Meeting in Sondershausen, Germany, to the Diamond League clash in Chorzow, Poland, Jamaicans will be chasing glory against some of the world’s best.
McPherson, Davison, Nelson Lead Jamaican Charge in Germany
On Friday, eight Jamaicans will line up at the World Athletics Continental Tour Challenger meet in Germany, with Odaine McPherson, Sandrey Davison, and Sachin Dennis all featured in the men’s 100m. They’ll face stiff competition from sprint heavyweights Arthur Cissé of the Ivory Coast, France’s Jeff Erius, and Ghana’s Benjamin Azamati — all sub-10-second runners this season.
McPherson, who enjoyed a string of victories earlier in the year, will be looking to reassert his dominance on the European circuit. Davison, known for his explosive starts, has been fine-tuning his form, while Dennis, still developing at the elite level, will be eager to prove he belongs among the fastest.
In the women’s 100m, Kemba Nelson carries Jamaica’s hopes as the lone representative. Nelson, who has shown impressive consistency throughout the season, will test her speed against German home favorites Lisa Mayer, Rebekka Haase, and Sina Mayer. A strong finish here could set the tone for her build-up to next month’s global championships.
The hurdles will also see Jamaican firepower: Kerrica Hill takes on the 100m hurdles, while De’Jour Russell enters the men’s 110m hurdles. Both athletes are capable of podium finishes if they execute clean races. Meanwhile, quarter-miler Candice McLeod will line up in the women’s 400m against American Talitha Diggs, Kenya’s Mercy Oketch, and Romania’s Andrea Miklos. McLeod, an Olympic finalist, has been sharpening her form after a steady start to the season.
Diamond League Drama: Lyles v Thompson in Poland
While Germany hosts the Challenger meet, all eyes will be on Poland this Saturday when the Silesia Diamond League stages one of the most anticipated sprint rematches in recent memory: Olympic champion Noah Lyles versus Jamaica’s Kishane Thompson.
The last time the two clashed was at the Paris Olympics, where Lyles edged Thompson by just five-thousandths of a second in a photo-finish 100m final. The Jamaican, however, has since stamped his authority with a world-leading 9.75 seconds at the Jamaican trials in June — the sixth-fastest time ever recorded.
Now, they meet again with world championship season looming. Thompson, still only 24, has quickly become one of the brightest prospects in global sprinting. His showdown with Lyles, who considers himself the “showman” of track and field, promises to be one of the highlights of the year.
The field in Chorzow is stacked with star power: Americans Kenny Bednarek, Christian Coleman, Trayvon Bromell, and Lindsey Courtney, along with South Africa’s Akani Simbine, will ensure no one has an easy path to the finish line. For Jamaican fans, though, the focus will be on Thompson and whether he can turn the tables on Lyles.
The women’s sprints will also carry Jamaican interest as the Clayton twins, Tina and Tia, line up in the 100m against U.S. champion Melissa Jefferson-Wooden and Britain’s Dina Asher-Smith. The Claytons, former World Under-20 champions, continue their transition to senior competition and will be eager to leave their mark in such a high-profile meet.
Jamaica’s Momentum Builds Toward Tokyo
With the World Championships in Tokyo (September 13–21) fast approaching, these meets are more than just warm-ups — they are dress rehearsals for the biggest stage. For McPherson, Davison, Nelson, Hill, Russell, McLeod, and Dennis, Germany offers the chance to fine-tune their form and sharpen their competitive edge. For Thompson, Poland presents a chance to cement his place as the man to beat in the 100m heading into Tokyo.
Jamaica has long been regarded as the sprint capital of the world, and 2025 is proving no different. Whether it’s young talents stepping onto the international stage or seasoned competitors aiming for championship readiness, the black, green, and gold will once again be flying high on the global athletics circuit.