Commonwealth Games Hall claims historic women’s discus gold

JAMAICA’S athletes continued their good showing at the XXIII Commonwealth Games in Scotland yesterday, collecting four more medals — one gold, two silver, and one bronze — on the fourth day of track and field competition.

The medal haul lifted Jamaica’s tally to eight and kept the country in third place in the track and field standings. Australia continue to lead with 11 medals (four gold, four silver, three bronze), and Canada are second with eight medals (four gold, two silver, two bronze).

The highlight of the day for Jamaica came from Samantha Hall, who created history by winning Jamaica’s first-ever Commonwealth Games women’s discus medal.

Hall produced a winning throw of 61.66 metres on her fifth attempt.

Canada’s Julia Tunks claimed silver with 60.67m, and India’s Seema Kaliramna won bronze with 58.65m.

Jamaica again showed strength in the field events, with six of eight athletics medals so far coming in the field.

Ackelia Smith and Shantae Foreman added two more medals in the women’s triple jump, taking silver and bronze, respectively.

Smith, the World Championships representative, cleared 14.04m, while NCAA Outdoor champion Foreman produced 13.96m.

Dominica’s Olympic and World Indoor champion, Thea LaFond, won gold with 14.60m, improving on her silver-medal finish in Birmingham four years ago.

Megan Simmonds claimed Jamaica’s second track medal of the Games by taking silver in the women’s 100m hurdles. Despite a slow start and clipping the first hurdle, Simmonds rallied strongly to finish in 12.41 seconds.

Bahamas’ Devynne Charlton won gold in 12.33, while world record holder Tobi Amusan of Nigeria took bronze in 12.60.

Jamaica’s Kerrica Hill failed to finish. The race was run with a +2.5 metres per second wind.

Several Jamaicans also booked their berths in finals.

Dejanae Oakley looked outstanding in the women’s 400m semi-finals, winning her heat in 51.18 to qualify as the fastest qualifier.

Shauna-Kay Anderson, fourth (52.87), and Leah Anderson, sixth (54.15) failed to advance.

In the men’s 400m, Zandrion Barnes secured Jamaica’s only place in the final after finishing third in his semi-final in 45.38. Delano Kennedy was fifth in his heat in 46.52, while Antonio Watson was disqualified for stepping on the inside lane shortly after the bend.

Jordan Scott advanced comfortably to the men’s triple jump final with the best qualifying mark of 16.56m.

Jamaica enjoyed an excellent session in the women’s 200m semi-finals, with all three athletes progressing. Ashanti Moore led the way, finishing second in her heat in 22.49 behind British Virgin Islands star Adaejah Hodge, who clocked a Games record 22.01 to erase Elaine Thompson-Herah’s previous mark of 22.02, which was set in Birmingham.

Alana Reid (22.64) and Lavanya Williams (22.71) also finished second in their respective heats.

Christopher Taylor and Jevaughn Powell also advanced to today’s men’s 200m final. Taylor won his semi-final in 20.20, while Powell was second in 20.24.

However, Roshawn Clarke did not advance after pulling up during his race.

National record holder Navasky Anderson qualified for the men’s 800m final after finishing fourth in his semi-final in 1:45.38, advancing as the sixth fastest qualifier.

Jamaica will be aiming to add to its medal tally today. Sanique Walker and Shiann Salmon will contest the women’s 400m hurdles final, while Assinie Wilson lines up in the men’s 400m hurdles final.

Earlier in the day, Nia Robinson and Ackelia Smith will compete in the women’s long jump qualification, while Jamaica will also feature in the mixed 4x400m relay.