Diamond League winner still eyeing switch

Rajindra Campbell, who produced the throw of his life yesterday by smashing through the 23-metre barrier to win the men’s shot put, highlighted another outstanding day for Jamaica at the Wanda Diamond League Final in Brussels, Belgium, and credited the support he has received from Türkiye for his achievement.

“There are two more years left until the Olympics, which give me time to become even better. Over there, I want to represent Turkiye,” said Campbell.

Campbell unleashed a massive 23.08 metres to rewrite his own Jamaican record and become only the fifth man in history to surpass the 23-metre mark.

The Olympic bronze medallist’s winning effort came in the sixth and final round and was more than enough to secure the Diamond Trophy. American Jordan Geist was second with 22.23m, while compatriot Joe Kovacs finished third with 22.09m.

Campbell entered the final in excellent form after extending the national record to 22.59m in Brescia, Italy, on August 30. Yesterday, however, he delivered a performance of another level, moving to 11th on the world all-time list.

“There have been signs in practice of a throw like this being on the way but to put it together today feels great. The 23-metre line is a badge of honour for every shot putter so I am extremely grateful to achieved it. There are still a lot of things that I can improve on but whenever I come close to perfection the throw will be bigger.”

Campbell believes there is still more to come.

“The world record is my ambition. If I can be more consistent next year then the outlier will be even higher.”

The increased ceiling of his potential, Campbell said, is a direct result of the support he has received from Türkiye.

“The Turkish Federation has given me all the support I was missing, and it has paid off immediately. I’m in my best shape ever.”

Yesterday, Tina Clayton added another Diamond Trophy to Jamaica’s impressive haul, powering to victory in the women’s 100m in 10.93 seconds.

Clayton, who entered the final with a season’s best 10.85, produced a strong performance from gun to tape to defeat Britain’s Amy Hunt, who clocked 11.06 for second, and American Sha’Carri Richardson, who finished third in 11.07.

The victory made Clayton the fifth Jamaican woman to win the Diamond League 100m title, joining Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Elaine Thompson-Herah, Shericka Jackson and Veronica Campbell-Brown.

There was also a strong fifth-place finish for Jonielle Smith, who clocked 11.08 seconds.

“I guess it’s kind of a perfect night because winning the Diamond League Final is something special. We all want to go home with the trophy and to be honest, there were a lot of candidates for the title ... Tonight I was the most determined athlete and that made the difference. I am happy with 10.93 as it was a bit cold,” said Clayton.

“I would like to dedicate this victory to my coach, Stephen Francis, who passed away earlier. It is very emotional but I have my family, the team and those others who gave me the support needed,” she said.

Nickisha Pryce continued Jamaica’s strong showing with a third-place finish in the women’s 400m, clocking 49.36 seconds behind winner Marileidy Paulino of the Dominican Republic, who ran a meet record 48.64, and Norway’s Henriette Jæger, who was second in 49.20.

Megan Simmonds also secured a podium finish, placing third in the women’s 100m hurdles in a season’s best 12.43 seconds behind training partners American world record-holder Masai Russell, who won in a meet record 12.20, and Bahamian Devynne Charlton, who was second in a national record 12.33.

Jordan Scott, the Commonwealth Games champion, finished third in the men’s triple jump with 17.18m, behind Italy’s Andy Diaz Hernandez, who won with a meet-record 17.74m, and Portugal’s Pedro Pichardo, who was second with 17.51m.

Meanwhile, Lamara Distin placed sixth in the women’s high jump after clearing 1.88m. Australia’s Eleanor Patterson won with 2.01m.

In a non-Diamond League event, Sabrina Dockery won the women’s 100m Invitational in 11.17 seconds, finishing ahead of Australia’s Torrie Lewis (11.24).

With Campbell and Clayton adding two more Diamond League titles yesterday, Jamaica closed the Brussels final with an impressive tally of four titles.