Jamaicans clash with Alfred in Budapest 100m at Gyulai Istvan Memorial

Budapest hosts the Gyulai Istvan Memorial Hungary Athletics Grand Prix today, a World Continental Tour Gold fixture that features 22 Jamaican athletes, with the women’s 100 metres billed as the prime attraction.

That sprint brings together Elaine Thompson-Herah, Brianna Lyston, Jonielle Smith and Tina Clayton against St Lucia’s Olympic champion Julien Alfred in what is set up as a heavyweight matchup.

Alfred arrives off a standout 200 metres win at the Prefontaine Classic, where her 21.51 made her the third-fastest woman ever at the distance. She now turns to the 100m carrying a season’s best of 10.93.

Each of the four Jamaicans has already broken 11 seconds this year. Clayton’s 10.85, when she took second behind Shericka Jackson at the Jamaica National Championships, is the quickest of the group. She is seeking a rebound after placing fifth at Prefontaine and aims to reinstate the edge she held over Alfred at last year’s World Championships.

Thompson-Herah, back after injury and the second-fastest woman in history, has a season’s best of 10.91 and is pushing toward peak form. Smith impressed with a personal best 10.89 for fourth at Prefontaine. Lyston, second to Thompson-Herah weeks ago in Zagreb, Croatia, and holding a 10.94 season’s best, remains a real threat in what should be a fierce contest.

In the women’s 400 metres hurdles, Rushell Clayton is expected to maintain her strong run. She has performed steadily on the Diamond League trail and her 53.05 season’s best places her among the leading contenders. Shiann Salmon, season’s best 55.56, lines up with her. Bahrain’s Kemi Adekoya (53.67) and American Jasmine Jones (53.92) add further depth to the field.

The women’s 100 metres hurdles see Kerrica Hill, season’s best 12.66, against a tough lineup headed by American Masai Russell, with Alysha Johnson and Grace Stark also involved. Russell has excelled this year; her personal best of 12.14 sits just 0.02 seconds off the world record and leaves room for another big outing.

Elsewhere among the Jamaican women, Krystal Slolely and Nickisha Pryce run the 200 metres, Ackelia Smith contests the long jump, and Lamara Distin competes in the high jump.

Ackeem Blake heads Jamaica’s men’s 100 metres challenge on a season’s best of 9.94, alongside Nishion Ebanks (9.99) and Rohan Watson (10.05). Cameroon’s Emmanuel Eseme (9.94) and South Africa’s Akani Simbine (9.97) stand in opposition.

Gary Card, who set a national junior record when he finished second to Oblique Seville in 9.93 in the 100 metres at the Jamaica National Senior Championships, uses the men’s 200 metres as preparation for next month’s World Under-20 Championships. He seeks to better his 20.59 season’s best against Zimbabwe’s Makanakaishe Charamba (19.86) and Canada’s Aaron Brown (20.07). Michael Campbell of Jamaica is also entered.

The men’s 110 metres hurdles are stacked. Orlando Bennett, season’s best 13.15, leads Jamaica’s effort, with Rasheed Broadbell and Tyler Mason making their first appearances of the season. World record holder Ja’Kobe Tharp (12.75), Jamal Britt (12.86) and Cordell Tinch (13.07), all from the United States, top the entry list.

Wayne Pinnock, Tajay Gayle and Nikaoli Williams will jump in the long jump, and Navasky Anderson will run the men’s 800 metres.