The 2023 Budapest World Championship will open in another few days, on August 19, and promises much from a Jamaican standpoint. In fact, based on the all-round strength of the Jamaican team, Jamaica could top its best medal haul of thirteen (13) that was done in 2009 and 2013. In 2009, Jamaica won seven (7) gold, four (4) bronze and two (2) silver, while in 2013, Jamaica won six (6) gold, two (2) silver and five (5) bronze.
In looking at the team that has been selected for Budapest, Jamaica should be very competitive on the track, and in the field. Indeed, it is quite conceivable that Jamaica could secure as many as twenty medals across all disciplines. And should this happen, it would be an historic feat of accomplishment. But, just where does Jamaica intend to garner these medals?
Women’s 100m
Notwithstanding the competitiveness and openness of the women’s 100m this year, Shericka Jackson and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce should provide Jamaica with two medals in this event. The question really is, what shape will Fraser-Pryce report to the Championship in? Will Fraser-Pryce, the five-time 100m World Champion, be as formidable this year as she was last year? Clearly, even though Shericka Jackson has failed to win a 100m race on the Diamond League Circuit, she nonetheless has the World Lead of 10.65 in same. And this, more than anything else, is an indication of the imperious form that she is in. Since Elaine Thompson-Herah will not be representing Jamaica in the 100m due to poor form, the accustomed “trifecta” isn’t a likely proposition. The form of Sha’Carri Richardson, Marie Josse Talou, Julien Alfred and Dina Asher Smith will make the going tougher for the Jamaicans this time around. In fact, the gold medal is not even a foregone conclusion.
Men’s 100m
The men’s 100m is more difficult to predict given that Ackeem Blake, Jamaica’s fastest 100m sprinter, this season, has failed to qualify for the event. Also, Rohan Watson and Ryiem Forde have failed to dip below ten seconds since placing first and second, respectively, at the JAAA National Senior Championship. Oblique Seville, who came third in the said event, in ten seconds dead, has been largely inactive, running only one 100m race since the JAAA National Senior Championship, posting 9.99 on that occasion. Assuming that these athletes are running loaded, at least one could spring a surprise and win a medal, most likely bronze. Anything higher than a bronze medal would be a surprise. And winning more than one medal would be a bonus.
Women’s 200m
Jamaica should win one medal in the women’s 200m, most likely, gold. The women’s 200m should be a very competitive event, with the likes of the favorite Shericka Jackson of Jamaica, Gabrielle Thomas of the USA, Sha’Carri Richardson of the USA, Julien Alfred of St. Lucia and Dina Asher Smith of Great Britain, et al. We are on World Record watch in this event, as the Jamaican and defending Champion, Shericka Jackson, could post a sub 21.30 seconds, for the win.
Men’s 400
The men’s 400m could prove one of the most competitive and intriguing events at the 2023 Budapest World Championship. World Leader, Steven Gardner of Bahamas (43.74), along with Muzala Samukonga (43.91) and Wayde Van Niekerk of South Africa (44.08) are the main obstacles to a Jamaica medal. Rusheen McDonald of Jamaica, the third fastest of the season, at 44.03, if allowed to run, could feature prominently among the top three. The other two Jamaicans in Sean Bailey (44.43) and Antonio Watson (44.54), cannot be overlooked. The question is, with these three, how many medals will Jamaica win? I think Jamaica will win one medal.
Men’s 110m Hurdles
The men’s 110m Hurdles should provide Jamaica with two medals, inclusive of gold. Rasheed Broadbell of Jamaica has the World Lead at 12.94 and is highly fancied to win gold. Hansle Parchment, the reigning Olympic 110m hurdles Champion, has a Season Best of 13.12. However, notwithstanding being ranked at a joint-eleventh for the season, Parchment has proven on many occasions that he is Championship pedigree and is likely to win a medal.
Women’s 100m Hurdles
With the late addition of the World Record Holder and reigning World Champion, Tobi Amusan of Nigeria, along with the likes of Jasmin Camacho-Quinn of Puerto Rico and Nia Ali, Tia Jones and Kendra Harrison of the USA, the women’s 100m hurdles will be very competitive. Can Jamaica, through Ackera Nugent, Megan Tapper and Danielle Williams, secure a medal in this event? In my view, Ackera Nugent is Jamaica’s best hope to win a medal. However, she will have to run the race of her career to medal in Budapest. Nugent is very quick, and she is technically sound. And if she puts it altogether, she could spring a surprise on all and win a medal, gold even. Even so, I am not discounting the fortunes of Megan Tapper, who has very recently raced to a new PB of 12.44. She has the heart of a champion!
Women’s 400m Hurdles
The World Record Holder and reining World Champion, Sydney McLaughin-Levrone, will not be defending her title in Budapest. Nevertheless, the Women’s 400m hurdles will be deep and extremely competitive. Femke Bol of the Netherlands is the World Leader at 51.45. She is followed next by the American, Britton Wilson at 53.23. Jamaica will be in search of glory through Andrenette Knight, who has the third best time of 53.26 for the current season. Janieve Russell (53.65) and Rushell Clayton (53.79) are Jamaica’s other routes to glory. Jamaica should win at least one medal in the event.
Men’s Triple Jump
The Jamaican eighteen-years-old NCAA indoor and outdoor triple jump champion, Jaydon Hibbert, who is also the Under 20 World Record Holder and World Leader at 17.87m, should be the top contender in the event in Budapest. Hibbert won the event at the JAAA National Championship and was second at the recent Monaco Diamond League, where he jumped 17.66m, to finish behind Hugues Fabrice Zango, who cut the sands in 17.70m in his final jump; this denied the Jamaican, who led for most of the competition.
Women’s Triple Jump
Shanieka Ricketts has the eighth best jump for 2023, and is Jamaica’s best hope for winning a medal in the triple jump at the upcoming World Championship. However, for Ricketts to win a medal, she must dislodge one of the top three jumpers in Yulimar Rojas of Venezuela (15.18m), Leyanis Perez Hernandez of Cuba (14.98) and Liadagmis Povea of Cuba (14.85). Ricketts best jump for the season is 14.56m. However, if she can reproduce or better her best effort of 14.98m, she has a definite chance of winning a medal.
Men’s Long Jump
National Champion, Wayne Pinnock, will lead the charge for Jamaica in the men’s long jump. Pinnock, currently ranks at number five, has cut the sands in 8.37m this season and trails behind Jeswin Aldrin of Indian (8.42m), Murali Sreeshankar of India (8.41m), Yu-Tang-Lin of Taipei (8.40m) and Miltiadis Tentoglou of Greece (8.38m). Pinnock will be joined by the 2019 World Champion in Tajae Gayle and Carey McLeod, both of whom have season bests of 8.27m and 8.26m, respectively. Gayle and McLeod have personal bests of 8.69 and 8.40, respectively. If they are able to reproduce those efforts, they could be in medal contention.
Women’s 800m
The Jamaican, Natoya Goule-Toppin, is ranked fourth in the women’s 800m for the current 2023 season. Natoya Goule-Toppin has posted a season best of 1:57.61, which makes her a serious medal contender in Budapest. With doubts surrounding the participation of the American, Athing Mu, at the upcoming World Championship, things could be made easier for the Jamaican to secure a podium finish. However, she will have to overcome the World Leader in Keley Hoodgkinson of Great Britain (1:55.77), Mary Moraa of Kenya (1:56.85) and Jemma Reekie of Great Britain (1:57.30). Goule has a Personal Best of 1:56.15, and should she reproduce that effort, she could garner a medal in the event.
Men’s Shot Put
Rajindra Campbell of Jamaica has the fourth best throw for the current season. On July 22, 2023, at the Estadio Vallehermoso in Spain, Campbell threw 22.22m to set a new National Record for Jamaica. However, ahead of Campbell are the American World Record Holder, Ryan Crouser (23.36), Joe Kovacs of the USA (22.69) and Tom Walsh of New Zealand (22.58). For Campbell to medal, he must dislodge one of the three.
Relays
Jamaica should also secure medals in the men’s 4 x 100m relay, the women’s 4 x 100m relay, the men’s 4 x 400m relay, the women’s 4 x 400m relay and the mixed relay. These represent a total of five medals.
Henley Taylor
Freelance Sports Writer
Edited by Raymond Byfield
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