Beckford and Prince deliver Jamaica’s opening Commonwealth Games golds in Glasgow

Jamaica collected its first medals on the opening day of athletics at the 2026 Commonwealth Games, with Romaine Beckford and Demario Prince striking gold in the men’s high jump and 110m hurdles at Scotstoun Stadium in Glasgow, Scotland.

Beckford topped the high jump field by clearing 2.25 metres. Sarvesh Kushare of India took silver at the same height, and England’s Kimani Jack earned bronze with 2.20. Raymond Richards of Jamaica placed fourth after also clearing 2.20.

Beckford’s progression was largely clean, as he sailed over 2.05, 2.10 and 2.15 without trouble. He missed his first try at 2.20 before clearing it on the second attempt. Gold was sealed when he went clear at 2.25 on his opening jump, while Kushare required three attempts at that height. The victory is Beckford’s first senior global title and a sharp step up from eighth at the 2022 Commonwealth Games. It is also Jamaica’s first Commonwealth gold in the high jump.

Prince likewise secured his first global medal, winning the men’s 110-metre hurdles in 13.17 seconds. He finished well clear of England’s Samuel Bennett, who ran a personal best of 13.30 for silver, and Cyprus’s Milan Trajkovic, third in 13.32. Jerome Campbell, Jamaica’s other entrant, was sixth in 13.86. The win adds to a strong year for Prince, who captured his first national title earlier in 2026.

Elsewhere, Jamaica’s athletes all progressed through their preliminary rounds. In the men’s 100m, Rohan Watson won heat four in 10.13 seconds and moved into the semi-finals. Ghana’s Benjamin Azamati produced the day’s quickest qualifying time, 10.00, in heat five. Watson will meet fellow Jamaican Ackeem Blake in today’s semis; Blake received a bye as one of the meeting’s top-ranked competitors. Watson is drawn in semi-final one and Blake in semi-final three. The top two from each heat, plus the next two fastest times, will reach the final, also scheduled for today.

In the men’s long jump, Tajay Gayle led all qualifiers with 8.10 metres from Group B. Jordan Turner joined him in the final after leaping 7.82 metres for third in Group A.

Adelle Tracey and Kelly-Ann Beckford both moved on in the women’s 800m. Tracey was fourth in heat one in 2:02.58, and Beckford placed third in heat two in 2:01.63.

Nayoka Clunis also advanced comfortably in the women’s hammer throw, clearing the 60-metre line twice. Her opening effort of 63.45 metres secured a final berth, and she closed her series with a day’s best of 64.83 metres. She contests the final today, chasing her first global medal.