‘I’ve always believed’
• Bennett knew a global medal was up for grabs• Mixed day for Jamaican qualifiers
Published:Wednesday | September 17, 2025 | 12:14 AMGregory Bryce/Staff Reporter
Speaking after the final of the men’s 110m hurdles at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan, Jamaican national champion Orlando Bennett said he was always confident he would be able to finish among the medals.
Bennett led a Jamaican 2-3 finish at the World Championships after he placed second in a new personal best of 13.08 seconds, just ahead of compatriot Tyler Mason, who also ran a personal best of 13.12.
The United States’ Cordell Tinch took the world title when he crossed the line first in 12.99.
Bennett said his confidence was not born out of arrogance, but a self-assurance in his ability to compete among the best.
“Personally, I’ve always believed that I could do this,” he said.
“It just shows the world that I actually did it. So, I mean, not being cocky or anything, but the work continues, go back to the drawing board after the season, see how much more I can accomplish in my career, and just keep working.”
He said his finish was made even more impressive as his teammate, Mason, was able to finish among the medals as well.
Bennett believes it shows Jamaica’s ability to continue to produce world-class talent for years to come.
“It’s an incredible feeling because it shows you that, even though Jamaica is such a small country, we have a great depth of incredible athletes,” he explained.
“It’s not just us, but you have athletes that are coming up now that are doing well. It just shows that, even when we are finished, once you see the black green and gold, excellence is coming with it.”
His words were proven in other areas of the pitch, as Jamaica saw several of tis athletes successfully navigating the rounds across day four.
In the men’s 800m heats, the pair of Tyrice Taylor and Navasky Anderson advanced to the semi-finals.
Running from heat four, Taylor cruised to a time of one minute, 45.13 seconds (1:45.13) to finish third in his race.
In similar fashion, Anderson timed his race to perfection to place third in heat six, finishing quickly in 1:44.87.
Jamaica will also see two of its competitors in the women’s triple jump final, after Shanieka Ricketts and Akelia Smith both advanced from their qualifying groups.
Ricketts led the way as the best non-automatic qualifying, recording a best distance of 14.30 metres.
Smith, recovering from her disappointment in the long jump, secured her spot in the triple jump final in 14.21 metres.
ENTRANT EACH IN 400M FINALS
Jamaica also secured an entrant each in the men’s and women’s 400m final, following the semi-final round.
National champions Rusheen McDonald and Nickisha Pryce both advanced from their respective semi-finals, running 44.04 and 49.46 seconds, respectively.
It was not meant to be in the men’s high jump for Jamaica, however, as, in the men’s final, Jamaica’s Romaine Beckford finished 12th after failing to register a mark.
After his event, Beckford said he would not find an excuse, as he believes he is a much better athlete than the results may show.
He believes this will only motivate him to do better in the next seasons to come.
“I’m not trying to blame anything and I don’t feel bad in myself where I’m going to pressure myself,” he said.
“This just brings more fire in my soul to just put my best foot forward and work harder for the next season. I can’t beat up myself.”