Silver for Ricketts
Jamaica medal tally in Eugene moves to four
Published:Tuesday | July 19, 2022 | 12:16 AMDaniel Wheeler/Staff Reporter
EUGENE, Oregon
Add another medal to the case for Shanieka Ricketts.
The 30-year-old repeated her exploits in Doha three years ago here at Hayward Field, mining silver in the women’s triple jump with her best leap of 14.89 metres a season’s best, increasing Jamaica’s medal tally to four to close off day four of the World Athletics Championships at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon.
There was no stopping the reigning champion Yulimar Rojas of Venezuela who became a three-time World champion with a leap of 15.47m on her second attempt. Tori Franklin of the United States came third with 14.72m. The last time that Ricketts went over 14.80m this season was in an event Qatar in May but the distance was not wind-legal.
Kimberley Williams finished seventh, her best leap being 14.29m and Ackelia Smith who made her senior championship debut finished in 12th place with her best jump being 13.90m. It was the first time that three Jamaican triple jumpers were competing in a major global championship final.
Also in the field, discus thrower Samantha Hall did not advance to the final of the women’s discus, with her best effort of 56.99m not enough to make the top 12.
After their third 100m global championship sweep on Sunday, the Jamaican trio of five-time World champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, World Championship silver medallist Shericka Jackson and double Olympic sprint champion Elaine Thompson Herah all progressed to the semi-finals of the women’s 200m which begins at 8:50 p.m. today.
Fraser-Pryce qualified the fastest among the Jamaicans clocking 22.26 seconds to finish second in her first-round heat behind winner Aminatou Seyni of Niger. Shericka Jackson, the fastest woman in the world this year, won her first-round heat in 22.33. Thompson Herah clocked 22.41 to finish second in her heat behind winner Beatrice Masilingi of Namibia.
Thompson Herah said that despite the short turnaround time, she felt satisfied with her run
“I didn’t get to complete my recovery. I tried to get in some today (yesterday), but I am physically fine for the semi-finals,” Thompson Herah said.
NOT MAKING EXCUSES
For the men, former 100m champion Yohan Blake and Rasheed Dwyer progressed to tonight’s semi-finals of the 200m starting at 8:05 p.m. Blake clocked 20.35 seconds to place fourth in his first-round heat which was won by World 100m champion Fred Kerley of the United States. Blake confirmed that he has been bothered by an Achilles injury but said he is not making excuses.
“I know I am short a little bit of work. Since trials, I haven’t gotten too many (training sessions) because of some circumstances but I’m glad I got the first round out of the way. I’ll have to do better than that in the semi-finals,” Blake said.
Dwyer clocked a season’s best of 20.29 seconds to place second in his first-round heat which was won by defending champion Noah Lyles of the United States in 19.98. Dwyer said that he felt cramps during the race but said he knows that he is in better shape than his time suggests.
“I’m feeling something right now. It’s not that bad but I am going to the physio and sort it out as best as possible to come back tomorrow (today),” Dwyer said. Unfortunately, there was no place for Akeem Bloomfield, the fastest Jamaican over the half-lap event this season with 20.22 seconds.
Bloomfield was fifth in heat three, clocking 20.56 in a race won by United States’ teenage sensation, Erriyon Knighton.
Today’s session sees Janieve Russell, Shiann Salmon and Rushell Clayton begin their campaigns in the first round of the women’s 400m hurdles at 7:15 p.m. Traves Smikle and World championship silver medallist Fedrick Dacres will carry Jamaican hopes in the men’s discus final at 8:33 p.m. National record holder Lamara Distin and national champion Kimberly Williamson will compete in the women’s high jump final at 7:40 p.m. The final event of the night will see Jaheel Hyde run in his first senior World Championships 400m hurdles final at 9:50 p.m.