Jamaica opens with double gold

Jamaica picked up its first medals on day one of athletics at the 2026 Commonwealth Games as Romaine Beckford and Demario Prince mined gold in the men’s high jump and 110m hurdles final, respectively, at the Scotstoun Stadium in Glasgow, Scotland.

Beckford reigned supreme in the men’s high jump, clearing a height of 2.25 metres to finish atop the podium.

India’s Sarvesh Kushare claimed the silver medal with 2.25, while Kimani Jack of England was third with 2.20.

Jamaica’s Raymond Richards finished fourth, also clearing a height of 2.20.

Beckford had a near-perfect series, easily clearing 2.05, 2.10 and 2.15 in his run to the gold medal.

He failed at 2.20 in his first attempt before getting it right on his second. He secured the gold medal when he cleared 2.25 on his first attempt, bettering Kushare, who needed all three of his attempts.

The win is Beckford’s first senior global title and a massive improvement on his eighth-place finish at the 2022 Commonwealth Games. It is also the first time a Jamaican has won a Commonwealth gold in the high jump.

In the men’s 110-metre hurdles, Demario Prince also picked up his first global medal, grabbing gold in 13.17 seconds.

Prince was head and shoulders ahead of the competition, with England’s Samuel Bennett taking silver in a personal-best 13.30, while Milan Trajkovic of Cyprus was third in 13.32.

Jerome Campbell, the other Jamaican in the field, finished sixth in 13.86.

The gold medal was another massive achievement for Prince, who also picked up his first national title earlier this year.

SMOOTH SAILING

It was also smooth sailing for the remainder of the Jamaican contingent as each athlete successfully navigated the preliminary rounds of their event.

In the men’s 100m, Rohan Watson ran smoothly in qualifying as he posted a time of 10.13 seconds to take heat four and advance to the semi-finals.

Ghana’s Benjamin Azamati was the fastest qualifier on the day as he stopped the clock in 10.00 in heat five.

Watson will join compatriot Ackeem Blake in the semi-finals set to get under way today. Blake received a bye to the semi-finals as one of the top-ranked athletes at the competition.

Watson will line up in semi-final one, while Blake will contest semi-final three. The top two from each heat, as well as the next two fastest times, will advance to the final, also set for today.

In the men’s long jump, Tajay Gayle was atop the pile, posting the day’s farthest distance of 8.10 metres to qualify from Group B.

He will be joined in the final by teammate Jordan Turner, who advanced with a distance of 7.82 to finish third in Group A.

Adelle Tracey and Kelly-Ann Beckford navigated the women’s 800m with little difficulty, both advancing from their heats.

Tracey finished fourth in heat one with a time of two minutes, 02.58 (2:02.58). Beckford posted 2:01.63 to finish third in heat two.

Nayoka Clunis was also comfortable in qualifying as she threw above the 60-metre mark twice to advance to the final of the women’s hammer throw.

Clunis opening mark of 63.45 was enough to book her spot in the final, but she improved in her final throw, ending her series with a day’s best of 64.83.

She will contest the final set, which begins today, as she goes in search of her first global medal.

gregory.bryce@gleanerjm.com