Roshawn Clarke, representing Swept Track Club, shattered the national Under-20 400m hurdles record in an outstanding performance during the final at the National Senior and Junior Championships at the National Stadium on Friday night.
In his debut year as a senior athlete, Clarke faced a formidable challenge from Jaheel Hyde but managed to prevail, crossing the finish line with an impressive time of 47.85 seconds. This remarkable achievement places Clarke as the second-fastest Jamaican male in the event of all time.
The time also equals the world junior record set by Sean Burrell of the USA in 2021.
It also represents the fourth fastest in the world this year, trailing behind Karsten Warholm (46.52) from Norway, and the American duo of CJ Allen (47.58) and Rai Benjamin (47.74)
Hyde, representing Puma, secured second place with a time of 48.45 seconds, while Assinie Wilson from Titans Track Club finished third in 48.50 seconds.
The previous national Under-20 record was held by Jaheel Hyde himself, who set a mark of 48.81 seconds back in 2016.
The championships, which will conclude on Sunday, are serving as the Jamaica Trials for upcoming international competitions.
Senior athletes are currently competing for coveted spots to represent the country at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary, scheduled to take place from August 19 to 27. In addition to determining the team for the World Athletics Championships, the Jamaica trials will also establish the squads for three junior competitions. These competitions include the NACAC Under-18 and Under-23 Championships in San Jose, Costa Rica (July 21-23), the Pan American Under-20 Athletics Championships in Puerto Rico (August 4-6), and the Under-18 Commonwealth Youth Games in Port of Spain, Trinidad (August 6-9).
