Jamaican athletes bag three wins at Millrose Games

JAMAICAN athletes were in great form at yesterday’s 118th staging of the Millrose Games at the Nike Track and Field Center, The Armory, New York.

The island’s athletes registered three wins at the prestigious meet. Leading the charge was Danielle Williams, who recorded her third consecutive win in the women’s 60 metres hurdles. Jamaica’s other victories came from Ackeem Blake in the men’s 60 metres and Rajindra Campbell in the shot put.

Fresh off her victory at the New Balance Grand Prix two weeks ago, Williams, the double World champion over 100 metres hurdles and the current world indoor leader in the 60m hurdles, turned back the challenge of Devynne Charlton of The Bahamas to win in 7.90 seconds. Charlton, the world indoor record holder for the 60m hurdles, finished second in 7.96. Jamaica’s Megan Simmonds ended fourth with a season’s best 8.04, while Oneika Wilson, competing for Clemson University, finished sixth in 8.12.

Coming off a win at the New Balance meet, Blake clocked 6.55 seconds for victory in the 60m, ahead of Puerto Rico’s Eloy Benitez, who was second in 6.60, and American Jordan Anthony, third in 6.64. World outdoor 200m bronze medallist Bryan Levell finished fifth in 6.66.

Shot putter Rajindra Campbell delivered a strong performance in the field, producing a season’s best and world-leading 21.77 metres on his final attempt to take the win. After opening with 20.96m Campbell followed with three fouls before producing the winning mark. American Joe Kovacs finished second with 21.21m, while Nigeria’s Chukwuebuka Enekwechi was third with 20.63m.

Kemba Nelson finished fourth in the women’s 60m with a season’s best 7.28 seconds. Great Britain’s Dina Asher-Smith made it back-to-back wins in the event, clocking 7.10, while Americans Jacious Sears (7.12) and Mariah Maxwell (7.36) finished second and third, respectively.

Raymond Graham