The 2023 World Athletics Championships, which is the nineteenth edition, are happening from August 19 to 27, 2023, at Budapest's National Athletics Centre in Hungary. This is the first time Hungary is hosting the Championships. Jamaicans were set to participate in 9 events. An early upset happened when Jamaica placed 5th in the mixed 4*400 relay in 3:14.05 seconds and were ninth overall and failed to advance to the final which happened later that day. The team consisted of Demish Gaye, Natoya Goule, Malik James King and Stacey-Ann Williams. They appealed on the grounds of an obstruction. Replays indicated that the Polish runner crossed paths with Jamaica's Natoya Goule during the second leg, but the officials decided that the contact wasn't enough to hinder our runner. Hence, Jamaica was not in the finals. Team USA won the finals and secured a new World Record in 3:08.80.
Ryiem Forde, Rohan Watson and Oblique Seville participated in the World Atheltics Championships' 100m and they all secured their spots for the semi-final. Oblique won his heat and in doing do earned a PB and the best heat time in 9.86s. Ryiem and Rohan took second place in their heats in 10.01s and 10.11s respectively.
The 18-year old Wunderkid, Jaydon Hibbert who is the current world leader in the triple jump, flew to a measurement of 17.70. He comfortably surpassed the qualifying standard of 17.15m, securing the top position among the qualifiers. Jaydon's possible win in this event will be a tremendous achievement. He will be Jamaica's first medalist in the men's triple jump should he medal.
Adelle Tracey progressed to the semi-finals of the women's 1500m at the 2023 Budapest World Athletics Championships. As the sole representative from her country in the event, Tracey secured a comfortable fifth position, earning an automatic qualification spot with a time of 4:03.67 seconds.
Ackelia Smith leaped 6.78 meters, securing the second spot in Group B qualifying and securing her spot in the final. Unfortunately, her teammate Tissanna Hickling didn't progress, as her 6.29-meter jump in Group A placed her thirteenth and didn't qualify her for the final. Jamaicans also progressed to the discus finals.
Traves Smikle and Fedrick Dacres have secured spots in the final of the men's discus throw at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary.
Smikle secured his place with a throw of 65.71 meters, ranking him fourth among the advancing throws. Meanwhile, Dacres achieved a distance of 65.45 meters, marking the seventh-best performance of the day. Their teammate, Roje Stona, who is participating in this championships for the first time did not advance to the finals. He took 9th place in Group A with a second-round best of 62.67m.
Rajindra Campbell, National Shot Put Champion, made history when he secured Jamaica's first shot put spot in the finals. Unfortunately, he fouled out of the final in the men's shot put at the World Athletics Championship. That's the summary for Day 1! What do you think of Jamaicans' performances so far?
Soo sorry they didn't medal in the mix!