The Highs
One of the high points of the 2023 track and field season was Sha’Carri Richardson winning the women’s 100m final at the Budapest World Championship in a Championship Record of 10.65. Richardson has had her fair share of problems that have affected her achieving greatness. And it was good to see her putting together a good season in the 100m that culminated in her finally becoming a World Champion.
While it was almost a given that Noah Lyles would have won the 200m at the Budapest World Championship, it was debatable whether he could win the 100m title to take the sprint double. But the twenty-six year old American half-lap specialist defied the odds, and did exactly that. In addition, Lyles add the 4 x 100m gold, to complete the triple. All season long Lyles had promised that he would win both the 100m and 200m. And, he delivered!
From virtual obscurity in the women’s triple jump final in Budapest, Yulimar Rojas dug deep to win the triple jump title, thus underscoring the champion that she is. When all seemed lost, Rojas produced the goods with her final jump, to set a World Lead for the victory
Probably one of the biggest shockers at the World Championship was the twenty-one-year-old Jamaican, Antonio Watson, winning the men’s 400m final, to outlast a world class field, the title. Once the Bahamian, Steven Gardener was reported injured in the semi-final, it became clear that Watson had a realistic chance of winning gold. And he delivered, defeating the likes of Mathew Hudson-Smith, Quincy Hall and Kirani James.
All season, the Jamaican Danielle Williams struggled to get back to her best in 100m hurdles. In fact, she was not considered a realistic medal prospect, let alone, to win gold. But in the final, running from lane one, Williams showed courage and grit, to win gold ahead of a quality field that included the likes of Jasmin Camacho-Quinn, Kendra Harrison, Tobi Amusan and Ackera Nugent, all of whom were expected to finish ahead of her.
While Shericka Jackson was the favourite to win gold in the women’s 200m final, it was heartwarming to see her actually win in a new championship record time of 21.41. Many pundits had expected Jackson to win the sprint double. However, that was not to be on the day. Jackson would go on to win the 100m/200m sprint double in the Diamond League Final.
Marileidy Paulino of Dominica won her first World title in the women’s 400m, having placed second in the event at the 2022 Oregon World Championship. Paulino has been a model of consistency throughout the season.
With the absence of Sydney Mclaughlin-Levrone, Femke Bol rose to the occasion and won her first World title in the women’s 400m hurdles. In fact, Bol was dominant all season, and was the favourite going into the Budapest World Championship. The twenty-two year old Dutch woman did not disappoint, winning also the Diamond League Final.
The Kenyan Faith Kipyegon won double gold in the 1500m and 5000m at the Budapest World Championship. She was dominant all season, setting World Records in the 1500m, 1600m and 5000m. Kipyegon was also the Diamond League Champion in the 1500m.
Though he did not win gold, Wayne Pinnock of Jamaica won his first World Championship medal (silver). And this was particularly pleasing to the athlete and his loyal fans. In fact, Pinnock lead the competition all the way until he was denied in the last round by Miltiadis Tentoglou of Greece who won on his final jump.
It was heartwarming to see the hardworking Rushell Clayton of Jamaica having a very good season, and winning her second World Championship bronze medal in the women’s 400m hurdles final at the Budapest World Championship. Clayton has been consistent all season, and produced a personal best in the event.
Lows
Given his impressive 2023 season, the performance of Mundo Duplantis at the World Championship was somewhat anticlimactic in not winning gold in the men’s pole vault. On that occasion, the many times World Record Holder had to settle for the silver medal.
The seventeen-year-old Jaydon Hibbert of Jamaica was the best and most consistent triple jumper of 2023. However, at the Budapest World Championship he was forced to abort the competition due to a grade one tear of his hamstring muscle. This was probably the lowest point of the Championship for any athlete, male or female.
Rasheed Broadbell entered the 2023 World Championship with the fastest time in the 110m hurdles with a World Lead of 12.94. However, the twenty-one-year-old Jamaica crashed out of the event in the first round. Broadbell was a potential gold medal winner.
Disappointment
From a Jamaican perspective, Elaine Thompson-Herah not qualifying for the World Championship in an individual event was a big shocker. It was the first time that the double-double Olympic Champion would not qualify for an individual event at any global championship. Also, Ackeem Blake who was the leading Jamaican male entering the local JAAA Championship, did not qualify for an individual event for the Budapest World Championship. Injury setbacks to Bouwahjgie Nkrumie’s phenomenal season, affected his chances to qualify for a spot in the men’s 100m in Budapest World Championship.
Other disappointments were Salwa Eid Naser belated withdrawal from the Budapest World Championship in the 400m, after a two year ban, as also Sydney Mclaughlin-Levrone late withdrawal from the World Championship, where she was scheduled to debut in the 400m.
After an injury-plagued 2022 season, much was expected from Steven Gardiner in Budapest. And when the Bahamian 400m specialist pulled-up in the semi-finals, it was a big disappointment for many track and field fans around the world.
Henley Taylor (Sensenya Ben Nyah)
Freelance Sports Writer
Sha’Carri Richardson photo courtesy of Joe Swift Photography
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