DONETSK, Ukraine, CMC – Jamaica toppled favourites the United States for victory in the Boys’ Medley Relay in a World Youth best of 1:49.23 to end the 8th IAAF World Youth Championship as the top nation yesterday.
The Jamaican quartet – Wassem Williams (100m leg), Michael O’Hara (200m), Okeen Williams (300m) and Martin Manley (400m) – improved on the USA’s 1:49.47. Jamaica now hold the World youth bests in both relays, their girls’ team having broken the other record two years ago in Lille.
The USA took silver in 1:50.14 and Japan secured the bronze in a national youth record best of 1:50.52. The Bahamas finished fifth in a season’s best 1:52.97.
Jamaica hauled a total of eight medals including six gold medals, the most among the more than140 participating countries. Jamaica’s youth ranking came from outstanding performances, led by their gold medallists including Yanique Thompson (100m Hurdles, Girls), Jaheel Hyde (110m Hurdles, Boys), Marvin Williams (400m Hurdles, Boys), Michael O’Hara (200m, Boys), Martin Manley (400m, Boys) and Jamaica Youth (Medley Relay). There were also bronze medals for Tiffany James (400m, Girls) and Christoff Bryan (High Jump, Boys).
Kenya, with four gold medals and Ethiopia with three finished second and third respectively. The USA finished with the most medals overall, a total of 17 but with only two gold medals to finish fifth on the official medals’ tally.
Cuba, Barbados and the British Virgin Islands were the only other Caribbean teams with medals from the five days of competition.
Cuba finished with four medals including one gold; Barbados and the BVI each had a silver medal.
