Douglas takes second silver - Jamaica add two medals to World U20 campaign

Jamaica added two more medals to its tally on the fourth and penultimate day of competition at the World Under-20 Championships in Eugene, Oregon, yesterday, as Shanoya Douglas captured silver in the women’s 200 metres. At the same time, Tiana Marshall secured bronze in the 100m hurdles.

Douglas, the overwhelming favourite for the 200m title after taking silver in the 100m, had to settle for second place behind the United States’ Mia Maxwell for the second time at the meet. Maxwell completed the sprint double in a lifetime-best 22.37 seconds.

Douglas clocked 22.68 for silver, while Mia’s twin sister, Mariah Maxwell, took bronze in 22.77. Jamaica’s Sashana Johnson finished fourth in 23.17.

After her defeat in the 100m, Douglas, the third-fastest Under-20 female ever over the half-lap event, was expected to reverse the result against her rival. However, that was not to be.

Despite making the better start and taking the lead, Douglas was unable to hold off Maxwell, who maintained her form down the straight before pulling away from the Jamaican, who tightened up in the closing stages.

It was also double delight for the United States in the sprints as Tate Taylor completed the sprint double by winning the men’s 200m in a championships record 19.83 seconds.

The United States’ Blake Hamilton took silver in 20.31 seconds, while Barbados’ Jayden Green secured bronze in 20.55. Jamaica’s Gary Card finished sixth in 20.74.

Marshall gave Jamaica its first medal of the day after placing third in an epic women’s 100m hurdles final in a personal-best 12.97 seconds.

The United States’ Madalene Cooper won in a world-leading 12.91 seconds, with South Africa’s Tumi Ramnokgopa taking silver in 12.96.

There were also two World Under-20 records on the night. Ezra Brown equalled the mark of 12.72 seconds, set by France’s Sasha Zhoya in Nairobi in 2021, in the men’s 110m hurdles final.

The other World Under-20 record came in the mixed 4x100m relay, where Italy won in 41.21 seconds ahead of Great Britain (41.30) and the United States (41.39).

The Jamaican quartet of Justin Stewart, Natrece East, Detarj Morgan and Reneica Edwards finished fifth in a personal-best 41.92 seconds.

The other Jamaican involved in a final, David Brown, finished ninth in the men’s high jump after clearing 2.17 metres.

Yesterday also featured semi-final action in the men’s and women’s 400m hurdles, with two Jamaicans advancing to today’s finals.

In the women’s event, Shevaughn Thomas finished third in her semi-final in a personal-best 57.56 seconds to advance with the eighth-fastest time overall. Teammate Marria Crossfield was eighth in her heat in 59.49 and failed to advance.

In the men’s event, Jahvanie Tyrell qualified for the final after finishing second in his heat and fifth overall in a personal-best 49.96 seconds.

The other Jamaican in the event, Robert Miller, finished fifth in his heat in 50.89 seconds and failed to progress.

Jamaica will be hoping to add to its tally of one gold, three silver and one bronze medal for a total of five and sixth place on the medal table when the final day of competition gets under way today at 2 p.m.

Joseph Salmon and Kamari Kennedy will contest the men’s discus final, while the men’s 4x400m relay is set to close out the day’s proceedings at 4:55 p.m.