Destination Shanghai: Jamaicans seek Diamond League glory

ELEVEN Jamaicans, led by two-time World Athletics Championships 200 metres  champion Shericka Jackson, will face the starter at tomorrow’s Shanghai Wanda Diamond League in China.

   Athletes will be seeking valuable points as they chase qualification for the two-day series final set for Brussels, Belgium September 4-5.

Jackson, whose 2025 season was curtailed by injury, will contest her first 200m for the season at 6:52 a.m. Jamaica time and will be hoping for a perfect start to her campaign. American sprint star Sha'Carri Richardson, known mainly for her 100m exploits, will test the waters in the half-lap event. The line-up will also include Americans Jenna Prandini, who has a season's best of 22.36 seconds, and McKenzie Long with 22.42, along with Bahamian star Shaunae Miller-Uibo, whose best so far this season is 22.44.

Long jumpers Tajay Gayle and Wayne Pinnock will be the first Jamaicans in action when they contest the men’s long jump in the opening event of the meet at 4:19 a.m. Jamaica time. Gayle has a season's best 8.11m and will line up against the likes of Australia’s Liam Adcock and China’s Zhang Mingkun, both of whom have gone 8.26m this season.

Shot putter Danniel Thomas-Dodd will follow shortly after in the women’s shot put at 5:27 a.m. Jamaica time. Thomas-Dodd has thrown 19.84m this season and will face strong opposition from American world champion Chase Jackson, who has a season's best 20.23m, and Canada’s Sarah Mitton with 19.02m.

National 400m champion Nickisha Pryce and Stacy-Ann Williams will be the first Jamaicans on the track when they line up in the women’s 400m at 6:04 a.m. The field will include World Championships bronze medallist Salwa Eid Naser of Bahrain, American Aaliyah Butler with a season's best 50.20, and Kenya’s Mercy Oketch, who has clocked 50.17 this season.

Sprint hurdlers Ackera Nugent, Megan Simmonds  and Danielle Williams will contest a stacked women’s 100m hurdles at 7:52 a.m. The event features four former World champions, led by world leader Masai Russell of the United States with a season's best 12.40. Also in the field are Ditaji Kambundji of Switzerland, Tobi Amusan of Nigeria and three-time World Indoor champion Devynne Charlton of the Bahamas.

World Championships 110m hurdles silver medallist Orlando Bennett will be the lone Jamaican in the men’s 110m hurdles at 6:14 a.m. Bennett, who has a season's best 13.33, will face Japan’s Rachid Muratake with a 2026  best of 13.05, along with American duo Jamal Britt  (13.07) and Cordell Tinch.

Roje Stona will be the other Jamaican in action as he contests the men’s discus throw at 6:48 a.m.

Jamaicans in Action

4:19 a.m.  men’s long jump

Tajay Gayle, Wayne Pinnock

5:27 a.m. women’s shot put

Danniel Thomas-Dodd

6:04 a.m.  women’s 400m

Nickisha Pryce, Stacy-Ann Williams

6:14 a.m.  men’s 110m hurdles

Orlando Bennett

6:48 a.m.  men’s discus

Roje Stona

6:52 a.m.  women’s 200m

Shericka Jackson

7:52 a.m.  Women’s 100m hurdles

Megan Tapper, Ackera Nugent, Danielle Williams