Fedrick Dacres is never one that lacks motivation or energy which are both emotional and mental responses some professional athletes display in times of difficulties. If you ask him, he would readily tell you that it's through his numerous battles with injuries that he discovered the fighter inside him is even greater.

The lengthy and difficult recovery process from those injury setbacks over the last few seasons, brought Dacres's stubborn determination to the fore and helped the national men’s discus throw record holder, gain new perspective on a sport he fell in love with from the junior level.

"I've had a few years where I had to deal with injuries before so at this point, it (being injured or feeling a niggle) is like clockwork, so I've never majored in the minor so to speak. As an athlete, if you pay attention to the days when you get up feeling a little pain you will feel discouraged," Dacres told SportsMax.tv.

"So, it is just about taking it a day at a time and just looking to the future. Right now, I can move, once I can move that means I can do the work and once I can do the work then the performance will come and I will get better, so it's just one step at a time," he added.

The 29-year-old's revelation came, as he shared that though a bit sore, he is currently in the best shape of his life with his mind firmly set on making Jamaica's team to the World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary scheduled for August 19-27.

To get there, Dacres, who achieved the national record of 70.78m in 2019, will first have to navigate the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) National Championships, where he is expecting fierce competition from a number of the country's rising prospects.

In fact, it is United States-based college senior Roje Stona that is currently the top-ranked Jamaican man with 68.64m, for sixth place on the World Championships ranking system, just ahead of Dacres, whose lone throw of the season, 68.57m, is seventh.

Traves Smikle is in ninth place with 68.14m, with the likes of Brandon Lloyd who threw 65.32m this year, Olympic finalist Chad Wright, Kai Chang, as well as Ralford Mullings, also showing great promise, which should make this event one of great entertainment value at the four-day Championships, scheduled to start on Thursday at the National Stadium.

Still, Dacres is no strangers to tough competition, having had success at both the Commonwealth Games and World Championships where he won gold and silver in 2018 and 2019 respectively, and he is no doubt aiming to put himself into medal contention in Budapest, next month.

"I think this will be the best National Championships in a while with good competition, so I can't complain. I'm feeling great, my preparation has been a bit slow based on a small groin injury, but it hasn't really stopped me. I just take it a step at a time, so just pacing myself and getting better for the trials and hopefully World Championships," he declared.

Throughout the conversation Dacres's body language and a wry smile every now and again, exuded immense confidence, which he said comes from the fact that he has recovered well and has also glimpsed a few of his national rivals in competition. 

"The confidence comes from preparation time because as I said, I am feeling good so I can't complain, I went and competed overseas and I also saw my competitors, so I guess that's why I am oozing confidence. So again, I feel good, I am doing what I am supposed to and, all in all, it’s just about keeping it up and executing on the day," he ended.

St. Lucia’s Julien Alfred and Guyana’s Emmanuel Archibald emerged as 100m gpold medalists at the CAC Games in San Salvador on Monday.

Alfred, coming off an outstanding NCAA season for the Texas Longhorns, transferred her form to San Salvador to win in a CAC Games record equaling 11.14 ahead of Jamaica’s Yanique Dayle (11.39) and Cuba’s Yunisleidy Garcia (11.50).

This was St. Lucia’s first ever CAC Games track medal.

On the Men’s side, Archibald produced a time of 10.24 for victory, just ahead of the Dominican Republic’s Jose Gonzalez (10.26) and the British Virgin Islands’ Rikkoi Brathwaite (10.26).

In the field, Jamaica’s Erica Belvit threw 70.04m for silver in the Women’s hammer throw. Venezuela’s Rosa Rodriguez won gold in a games record 71.62m while Colombia’s Mayra Gaviria threw 68.61m for bronze.

The BVI’s Djimon Gumbs threw 19.00m for bronze in the men’s shot put. He finished behind the Mexican pair of Jairo Moran (19.18m) and Uziel Munoz (20.81m).

Jamaican triple jump World Junior record holder, Jaydon Hibbert, has signed a NIL deal with Puma.

Short for Name, Image, and Likeness, an “NIL” refers to the way college athletes can receive compensation. “Using” an athlete’s NIL would involve a brand leveraging their name, image, and/or likeness through marketing and/or promotional endeavors.

The NCAA officially made it legal for athletes to profit off of their NILs on July 1, 2021. Since this initial passing, states have begun to pass their own laws detailing the rules for athletes that attend colleges in their state. Universities have also begun to produce rules and programs for their student-athletes.

Hibbert, still only 18-years-old, is currently a finalist for the 2023 Bowerman Award after a spectacular freshman season for the Arkansas Razorbacks.

He won the SEC Indoor and Outdoor titles as well as the NCAA Indoor and Outdoor crowns. To take the SEC Outdoor title, Hibbert produced a personal best, world leading and world Under-20 record 17.87m.

When the athletes for the 110m hurdles line up at Jamaica’s National Athletics Championships this coming weekend, noticeably absent will be the 2016 Olympic champion Omar McLeod.

McLeod, the 2017 world champion, is not among the 19 men who will contend for one of three spots up for grabs as the hurdlers vie for places at the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary in August. 

There has been no official word from the athlete or his representatives over his absence. He has raced sparingly this season, running twice indoors and once outdoors. On April 29, he ran 13.67 for a second place finish at the LSU Invitational in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

The 29-year-old McLeod has not had the best of fortune at Jamaica’s national championships in recent years. In 2021, he finished at eighth in the final at Kingston’s National Stadium and then infamously blamed the Jamaican authorities for mistreating him.

“I don’t think I was given or granted a fair opportunity to make the team with this ridiculous schedule that I have never seen in my years in track and field where they have semi-finals late in the evening and then, without recovery and the country was in complete lockdown so we were unable to go back to the hotel and get food,” he told media at a press conference in the United Kingdom days later.

“So, my team and I, we did the best we could and we went to a little lounge at the hotel and drank some soup and had a salad because that was all they had, trying to go back to the track and five in the morning for a final at eight, I mean, that’s stupid."

Then in 2022, he finished at the back of the pack once again after hitting a hurdle early into the race and failed in his effort to qualify for an attempt to win a shot at another world title.

Meanwhile, the event which is expected to be keenly contested, will feature a stacked that includes reigning Olympic champion Hansle Parchment, Olympic bronze medalist Ronald Levy and Commonwealth Games champion Rasheed Broadbell, who are expected to be in the running for places on the Jamaican team to Budapest.

However, the battle for places will have to be earned as the likes of Phillip Lemonious the 2023 NCAA Outdoor champion and a resurgent Tyler Mason will also be targeting breakthroughs to the international scene.

Tokyo Olympic semi-finalist Damion Thomas and the talented LaFranz Campbell are also down to compete for spots.

Orlando Bennett, the 2022 NACAC bronze medallist, is also among the 19 as well as collegiate standouts Jaheem Hayles, Sharvis Simmonds, Michael Buchannan, Jordani Woodley, and Andre Douglas.

The multi-talented Dejour Russell will also be keen to get a look in on a team to a major senior championship.

At the heart of Jamaica's remarkable legacy in track and field, among the names that stand out as a symbol of excellence and inspiration is one Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce.

With a record five 100m world titles and two Olympic blue-ribbon titles to her name, Fraser-Pryce is part of a golden era of Jamaican sprinters that includes illustrious figures like Usain Bolt, Melaine Walker, Veronica Campbell Brown and many more.

Her journey from a young girl in Waterhouse to a global athletics icon is a testament to the power of determination and talent.

"It definitely feels good, I think for me, especially coming from, you know, Waterhouse, a young girl who didn't, you know, know where she would end up in the future," Fraser-Pryce shared in an interview with Black Enterprise.

"But to be able to be one of the icons of our country is really phenomenal. And being able to give inspiration to other young girls who are coming from similar situations as I was, or even now, being able to relate to where I'm at on my journey, whether it's on motherhood, age, or a lot of things. So being able to drive that, you know, here in my hometown, being able to say that I'm homegrown, being able to say that."

Fraser-Pryce's success has not only made her a sporting legend but also a hometown hero. She acknowledges the support of the people of Jamaica, saying, "A lot of who I am is because of the people of Jamaica and how much they have poured into me, and their support has always been so constant."

Representing her country and community fills her with immense pride, knowing that she carries their hopes and dreams with her on the world stage.

Being part of Jamaica's golden era of track and field athletes has driven Fraser-Pryce to continuously raise the bar.

"I think that helps us to elevate who we are as a country and as women when we step on the line to know that we have such a rich history when it comes to track and field," she stated. It motivates her to give her all, showcasing the strength and prowess of Jamaican athletes to the world.

Despite being a small island nation, Fraser-Pryce firmly believes that Jamaica's athletes have made a significant impact. "You always want to make sure that we, you know, we show up, and I show up, and being able to put our country first because we understand what limited resources mean," she said. Fraser-Pryce wants to inspire young athletes in Jamaica that greatness can be achieved even on their home turf with the right mindset and determination.

"We're little, but we tallawah," Fraser-Pryce emphasized. "It's not about the size but the punch. So we're able to really make a statement globally, and we're really appreciative of all that we've been able to accomplish."

Daryll Neita out-shone her compatriot Dina Asher-Smith to claim victory in the women’s 200 metres at the Diamond League meeting in Stockholm.

Defying poor weather conditions in the Swedish capital, Neita ran a superb bend from lane seven to take first place in a time of 22.50 seconds, with Asher-Smith second in 22.58 seconds.

Neita’s win – her first individual triumph in the competition – continues an intriguing rivalry heading into next week’s British Championships in Manchester.

In the women’s 800 metres, Laura Muir was forced to settle for sixth place, one place behind her compatriot Melissa Courtney-Bryant.

In the men’s 100 metres, Britain’s Reece Prescod recorded a time of 10.14 seconds to take second place behind winner Akani Simbine of South Africa in 10.03 seconds.

Jaydon Hibbert and Julien Alfred took a big step towards winning the 2023 Bowerman Award after coming out on top in the USTFCCCA Membership Vote as well as The Bowerman Fan Vote, respectively.

Hibbert and Alfred both get two first-place votes toward their overall tally.

More than 35,000 votes were tabulated in The Bowerman Fan Vote over the past 48 hours, marking the third consecutive year with such a turnout.

The order of the Men’s Fan Vote and the USTFCCCA Membership Vote were identical: Hibbert at the top, followed by Leo Neugebauer and Kyle Garland.

The Women’s Fan Vote and USTFCCCA Membership Vote both had Alfred at the top, while Jasmine Moore and Britton Wilson switched places between them.

Five-time world 100m champion, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, has expressed her unwavering confidence and determination as she prepares to open her 2023 season at Jamaica's national championships in Kingston from July 6-9 and begin her campaign for a record-extending sixth world 100m title in Budapest in August.

After recovering from a knee injury she suffered back in May in Kenya, Fraser-Pryce is more determined than ever to get back on track after her record-breaking season in 2022.

Reflecting on her journey, Fraser-Pryce, in an interview with Black Enterprise shared, "You know, I've always said that no two years are ever the same. You plan and you work, and you just hope that everything falls into place."

Her last year was filled with joy and achievement, especially after winning an unprecedented fifth World 100m title and running under 10.7 seconds, a record seven times, which laid a solid foundation for her ambitions this year.

However, the sprinter experienced a hiccup early in the season in Kenya, forcing a delayed start to her season. Determined to bounce back stronger, she returned to the drawing board to ensure her knee was in excellent condition. She knew that the outdoor season would demand not only mental fortitude but also peak physical performance. Her goal was to be in top form and leave no room for setbacks.

 Speaking about her preparations, Fraser-Pryce stated, "So far, training has been going great, and I believe I'm in a much better place now. I've been able to tweak some things and really revisit areas that needed work."

A three-time Olympic gold medallist, Fraser-Pryce’s relentless work ethic and dedication have been the driving force behind her successful career, and she remains focused on fine-tuning every aspect of her performance.

Throughout her journey, Fraser-Pryce has relied on her spirituality, trusting that God will always guide her path. "I really just trust that God will always work things out," she said, "I always have to trust that. You do the work, and you just get on the track, and you know you have a good team. Coaches are prepared, we're prepared."

With the much-anticipated unveiling of a statue of Usain Bolt at the Ansin Sports Complex in Miramar, Florida, still two weeks away, the city’s vice mayor Alexandra Davis has given a glimpse of what the monument to the greatest sprinter of all time will look like.

In recent days, Davis posted images on her standing alongside the statute that will be mounted at the facility where Olympic relay gold medallist Briana Williams once trained under the watchful eye of coach Ato Boldon.

Noted sculptor Basil Watson was commissioned to undertake the project at a cost of US$250,000. It will be paid for under the Art in Public Spaces ordinance designed to promote art throughout the city of about 150,000.

“It will spur on economic development and serve as an inspiration for up-and-coming athletes of all ages and backgrounds,” Davis told Sportsmax.TV in 2022, adding recently that “developers pay into the fund if they cannot provide public artwork at their facility.”

Preceding the unveiling on Saturday, July 15, the city will host a fundraising dinner on Friday, July 14. A track meet will be held at the Ansin Sports Complex on Saturday that will be followed by a press conference after which the Bolt statue will be unveiled.

Though he has never competed at the facility, Bolt has been an inspiration to many of the large and diverse community that make up the City of Miramar in Florida.

The Jamaican sprinter is the only man to win the 100 and 200m at three consecutive Olympic Games (2008, 2012 and 2016). Bolt also set world records of 9.58 and 19.19 in the 100 and 200m, respectively at the World Athletics Championships in Berlin, Germany.

Both records still stand today, 14 years later.

Bolt also won 11 gold medals, 13 overall at the World Championships between 2007 and 2017 when he retired from the sport after winning bronze in the 100m in London.

As the anticipation builds towards the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) National Senior and Junior Championships, the event received a massive $35 million boost from the Government to ensure all goes accordingly for the four-day event which will select Jamaica's teams to various Championships later this year.

With performances from Shericka Jackson, Ackeem Blake, Alana Reid and Jaydon Hibbert, among others, already setting the tone, coupled with the fact that Elaine Thompson-Herah is on the mend and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce will open her season at the July 6-9 championships, spectators are eager to see what will transpire inside the National Stadium.

The country's senior athletes will be hunting spots to the 19th World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary scheduled for August 19-27, while their junior counterparts will vie for selection to the NACAC Under-18 and Under-23 Championships in July, as well as the PanAm Under-20 Athletics Championships and the Under-18 Commonwealth Youth Games, both set for early August.

Minister of Sport Olivia Grange, while reminiscing on the fact that Jamaica is ranked fourth on the medals table with 137 medals, inclusive of 37 gold, 56 silver, and 44 bronze won over the years --only behind United States, Kenya and Russia --said the contribution through the Sports Development Foundation (SDF) represents an affirmation from the Government to support the country's athletes.

Grange, who presented a symbolic $10 million cheque during the event's launch at Jamaica Pegasus Hotel on Thursday, explained that another $25 million will follow in short order.

"As our athletes step up to the line to compete and secure their spots at the respective international meets, we want to assure them of their nation's and government's complete and unwavering support. We want to remind them that we are grateful for their work and contribution to the national pride. 

"Our athletes truly represent Jamaica in a big way. You are some of the best In the world, both at the junior and senior levels and when you compete, you compete hard, you compete fair and play by the rules. Always remember that you are first your own ambassador and then your family, your community and of course your country," Grange said.

"I am happy that we are able to provide this money and we would want to give more but the cake is only so big, but never before in the history of Jamaica his so much money been spent on sports. And in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism, we will establish a Jamaica House in Budapest. This is something we have been doing at major games and the idea is to leverage the World class performances of our athletes to encourage people to buy Jamaica, so we intend to maximise the prosperity of Jamaica," she added.

Well over 400 athletes are expected to participate in the championships which will feature approximately 60 events for seniors and juniors.

All the country's top stars should also be present, barring injuries, with the marquee events, the men’s and women’s 100m finals and the 400m hurdles finals, set to highlight day two of the meet on Friday, while Sunday's last day will feature the 200m, 400m and sprint hurdles finals.

JAAA President Garth Gayle urged spectators both in Jamaica and abroad to throw their usual support behind the athletes as they give of their best on the track and in the field with one end goal, to represent Jamaica with distinction on the world stage.

Tickets are already available online and will also be made available at the stadium’s ticket office and at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel on Monday. Season tickets will be available for $7,500, while the daily entry for the Grandstand finish line will vary at $1,000 for Thursday, $3,000 for Friday, $2,000 on Saturday and $2,500 for Sunday.

Regular Grandstand tickets are $1,000 Thursday, $2,500 on Friday, $1,500 for Saturday and $2,000 for Sunday.

The bleachers will only be opened on Friday at a cost of $500 for entry.

"I plead with spectators to fill the stands with your fervor, vigour and unflinching support. Your presence plays an important role in fostering that ideal environment to inspire the athletes to greater heights. Let's not overlook the strength of unity, sports provide that wonderful environment for uniting people, breaking down barriers and promoting respect in a current society that it is needed now. So, we want all Jamaicans to journey and come enjoy four days of excellent competition," Gayle said.

"This competition is more than just a way to name winners, it is also a celebration of human spirit, a symbol of strength and tenacity, it is a manifestation of our sense of National pride. I salute our athletes who have dedicated their entire lives and for those who would have been on the cusp of starting their careers, that the tradition will continue. I urge you to take advantage of the chance to come and observe our athletes in competition...keep in mind that they not only perform for themselves," he noted.

Gayle also praised the support of the Government and other stakeholders for their efforts and financial backing in making a championship a possibility.

"We appreciate your constant dedication to the development of athletics in Jamaica and find your effort to be genuinely admirable. The national senior and junior championships is a positive proof of how talented Jamaicans are and why we are regarded as a powerhouse in the world of athletics.

"Our athletes continue to display extraordinary skills, mesmerising our spectators with their grace, their speed, their agility, unmatched tenacity. Once a Jamaican puts on the National colours and goes to face the starter, to jump or to throw, they do so with pride. So we know it will be exciting because of the intense competition, spectacular performances and history-making events that will certainly take place," Gayle stated.

Jamaica’s Jaydon Hibbert, a freshman at the University of Arkansas, is among the three male finalists for the 2023 Bowerman Award, collegiate track and field’s highest individual honor. The finalists that also include Kyle Garland of the University of Georgia and Leo Neugebauer of the University of Texas.

Hibbert, Garland and Neugebauer won a combined four NCAA titles, obliterated four collegiate records and notched 10 all-time top-10 performances in their respective events. This is just the second time in award history that all three men’s finalists broke at least one collegiate record (2017 was the first).

Eighteen-year-old Hibbert, formerly of Kingston College in Jamaica, is the undisputed King of the Triple Jump in collegiate history.

The Arkansas freshman completed the NCAA title sweep with a victory at the NCAA DI Outdoor Championships. Hibbert unified the indoor and outdoor collegiate records with a 17.54m effort indoors to win that NCAA crown, followed by a majestic, world-leading 17.87m outdoors at the SEC Championships.

Both marks are also U20 world records.

Prior to Hibbert taking the collegiate scene by storm, both of the collegiate records in the triple jump had stood for more than 35 years. Even more impressive might be the fact that Hibbert only needed 12 jumps all season to achieve all of those feats.

Hibbert is the third male athlete from Arkansas to be named a finalist for The Bowerman, joining 2016 award winner Jarrion Lawson and 2022 finalist Ayden Owens-Delerme. Hibbert is the fifth freshman man to be named a finalist and the youngest to be named a finalist in award history.

Garland, who hails from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, starred in the combined events this year. He won the heptathlon crown at the NCAA DI Indoor Championships with a near world-record 6639 points and demolished the collegiate record in the process. Outdoors, Garland amassed two of the top-4 decathlon scores in collegiate history: the first coming at the SEC Outdoor Championships where he tallied 8589 points for what is now the fourth-best; the second in a runner-up effort at the NCAA DI Outdoor Championships where he one-upped himself with 8630 points for the third-best.

Neugebauer, who hails from Germany, orchestrated a masterclass performance in the decathlon at the NCAA DI Outdoor Championships. It was on his home track in Austin, Texas, where Neugebauer amassed 8836 points to obliterate the collegiate record, set a German national record and climb all the way to No. 8 in world history.

Hibbert is one of two Caribbean athletes who are Bowerman finalists in 2023. On Monday, St Lucia’s Julien Alfred was among the three women finalists for the prestigious award.

Fan voting for The Bowerman begins Tuesday, June 27 on The Bowerman’s website and runs through Thursday, June 29. Paper voting also begins on Tuesday, June 27 and closes on July 14.

Texas senior, Julien Alfred, has been named among three finalists for the prestigious Women’s Bowerman Award alongside Florida’s Jasmine Moore and Arkansas’ Britton Wilson.

The St. Lucian dominated the sprints all year. It started during the indoor season when she entered the year with the 60m collegiate record, only to break her own record six times en route to the NCAA title. Alfred also added a collegiate record during the indoor 200 meters during an NCAA-title winning race, scoring 20 points to lead Texas to a second-place team finish.

During the outdoor season, the fireworks continued as the reigning Commonwealth Games silver medalist kicked off her season with three collegiate records in the relays as the leadoff runner in the 4x100, 4x200 and sprint medley relays. It wouldn't be the last time Alfred set a collegiate record in the relays, ultimately setting the standing record in the DI championship semifinals.

She might've set more collegiate records in the outdoor 100 and 200 meters at the DI championships too if not for a windy day during the finals.

Nonetheless, Alfred ran the fastest all-conditions times in NCAA history to win the outdoor 100 and 200m crowns. Alfred scored 22.5 total points at the DI championships to lead Texas to the team title on its home track, the first for the Longhorns in 18 years.

She becomes the fourth female Longhorn to be named a Bowerman finalist, hoping to become the second Longhorn to take home the award after Courtney Okolo did so in 2016.

The winner will be announced at the USTFCCCA Convention in Denver on December 14.

Two-time double Olympic sprint champion, Elaine Thompson-Herah, made her much anticipated season debut in the 100m at the JAAA All Comers Meet at the Ashenheim Stadium at Jamaica College on Saturday.

The 30-year-old ran a pedestrian, by her standards, 11.23 to win comfortably win ahead of Racers Track Club’s Jodean Williams (11.38) and Titans International’s Shurria Henry (11.76).

This race almost never happened, however, as Thompson-Herah revealed in a very candid post-race interview that her persistent injuries almost caused her to quit the sport entirely.

“Honestly, I’m feeling good despite the fact that I’ve been out so long. It has been a challenging one but, I still hang on. I almost gave up but I have faith and I came out here to just test my body to see where I’m at. My training has not been how I wanted it to but, the fact that I missed so much and came out here and ran 11.23 today, I’m just grateful,” she said.

Prior to Saturday’s race, Thompson-Herah’s last competitive outing was a 200m race at the Tom Jones Memorial Invitational on April 14 where she ran 23.23 to finish second.

Between then and now, the sprinting superstar has struggled with injuries such as a persistent Achilles injury which hampered her for most of the 2022 season, shin splints and a knee injury which Thompson-Herah said “shut down my entire body to the point where I could not do anything.”

“The past couple months have been rough. Most days I’m not able to do anything so I’m just grateful I was able to be here in spikes. I’ve been bouncing spikes and track shoes so, to come out here and get a clean race, God is good,” said Thompson-Herah.

“People see us on the track all the time but they don’t know what comes behind that. I cried most mornings when I was driving home in my car because I see that I’m working hard and I’m not getting the results I want. I was on the verge of giving up, honestly, but God spoke to me and said ‘you cannot give up right now because I took you this far,” she added.

Despite her Olympic exploits, she has yet to win an elusive individual World Championship gold medal. Her best result in the 100m was her bronze medal from last year’s Eugene World Championships while she won a 200m silver medal at the 2015 edition in London.

So, why is it that she can’t replicate her Olympic successes at the World Championships? This is a question Thompson-Herah still can’t answer herself.

“I don’t know why World Championship season always seems very challenging for me. I have not changed anything, I’m not doing anything wrong but it’s like a test to see if I can do it or not. This one has tested me a lot and it tested me last year as well,” she said.

With the Jamaican National Senior and Junior Championships scheduled for July 6-9, Thompson-Herah says that she is going there with no expectations of a fast time, but instead just hoping for a spot on the team to Budapest later this year.

“I didn’t see trials coming, honestly. I’m just going there, not expecting the result, just trying to get into the top three. I’m not looking for a fast time or anything. I just want to make it to the World Championships and take it from there,” she said.

Zharnel Hughes broke Linford Christie’s long-standing British record when he claimed victory in the men’s 100 metres at the New York City Grand Prix.

Hughes, who won 100m silver at the 2022 European Championships, clocked 9.83 seconds ahead of Jamaica’s Ackeem Blake (9.93secs) with American Christian Coleman, the 2019 world champion, third in 10.02.

Christie’s record had stood since the 1993 Stuttgart World Championships, where he won gold for Britain in 9.87.

Blake had made the better start in Saturday’s showpiece race, which is part of the World Athletics Continental Tour.

Hughes, though, powered through the closing stages to finish clear of the field, before staring in disbelief when his winning time went up on the board.

The victory continues an impressive run of form for Hughes, who had won 200m European gold in Munich last summer to go with his relay title in the 4x100m squad.

Zharnel Hughes sent shockwaves through the track and field world on Saturday when he sped to a personal best, world lead and British record 9.83 to take the win in the Men’s 100m at the USATF NYC Grand Prix at the Icahn Stadium.

The Anguilla-born Hughes, who currently trains under legendary coach Glen Mills at the Racers Track Club in Jamaica, recovered after being left at the start by Jamaica’s Akeem Blake and the USA’s Christian Coleman to obliterate his previous personal best of 9.91 done five years ago in Jamaica. Blake ran 9.93 for second while Coleman was third in 10.02.

Hughes, a former Class 1 100m record holder at the ISSA Boys & Girls Championships where he competed for Kingston College in 2014, broke the previous British record of 9.87, set by Jamaican-born Olympic and World Champion, Linford Christie, back in 1993.

In the Women’s equivalent, Aleia Hobbs was the only athlete to break 11 seconds, running 10.98 for victory.

Jamaica’s Briana Williams got her customary bullet start and was able to maintain her form and composure to run a season’s best equaling 11.04 in second while defending US champion, Melissa Jefferson, ran a season’s best 11.06 for third.

Jamaica’s Zandrion Barnes ran 45.05 to take the win in the Men’s 400m ahead of Matthew Boling (45.58) and Trevor Stewart (45.85).

The women’s equivalent was won by American 400m hurdles world record holder, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, in a personal best 49.51 ahead of teammate Gabby Thomas (50.29) and Jamaica’s Charokee Young (51.02).

2015 World Champion Danielle Williams was third in the 100m hurdles. In a race aided by a 2.8 m/s wind, American former world record holder, Kendra Harrison, ran 12.29 for victory finishing narrowly ahead of Alaysha Johnson (12.30) and Williams (12.33). Olympic bronze medallist, Megan Tapper, was fifth in 12.68.

18-year-old Surinamese phenom, Issam Assinga, ran 20.25 for second in the Men’s 200m behind World Champion, Noah Lyles, who ran 19.83 for the win. The USA’s Elijah Morrow ran 20.30 for third. With that time, Lyles has now tied double sprint world record holder, Usain Bolt, for the most sub-20 times in the 200m with 34.

In the field, Dominican Commonwealth Games silver medalist, Thea Lafond, produced 14.47m to win the Women’s triple jump ahead of the USA’s Kenturah Orji (14.30m) and Canada’s Caroline Erhardt (13.80m).

Traves Smikle threw 65.36m to take the discus crown ahead of Samoa’s Alex Rose (64.63m) and Jamaica’s Kai Chang (63.17m).

2019 World Championship silver medalist, Danniel Thomas-Dodd, threw 19.38m for second in the Women’s shot put behind American world leader Maggie Ewen (19.68m). Chase Ealey threw 19.25m for third.

Jamaica’s Kimberly Williamson cleared 1.83m for second in the Women’s high jump behind the USA’s Vashti Cunningham (1.95m). Jelena Rowe cleared 1.79m for third.