BEIJING–Led by the reigning world 100 metres champion Usain Bolt, Jamaica picked up two medals on the second day of the IAAF World Championships here yesterday while Olympic champion Grenadian Kirani James also advanced to the semi-finals of the 400 metres.
Bolt edged American Justin Gatlin to retain his world title and O'Dayne Richards took bronze in the shot put event to cap off an outstanding night for the Jamaicans.
Bolt clocked a season best time of 9.79–0.01 seconds ahead of his rival in securing a ninth World Championship gold medal.
Gatlin took command of the race from the start and was a few ticks away from the win when the Jamaican caught him up on the line in the narrowest of victories.
Earlier, Richards equalled the Jamaica national record of 21.69 metres in claiming bronze in the shot put. Only a month ago he threw the implement the same distance to land gold at the Pan American Games in Toronto, Canada.
"I am very grateful for the medal despite the fact that I expected even longer throws. The equalled record is a bonus and indication that I am well prepared," he said.
He said throws in Jamaica were improving with good prospects in the discus as well.
The first round of the men's 400m also showcased some fireworks and what could be expected in the remaining races.
Jamaican Rusheen McDonald smashed the Jamaican 400 metres record to share the highlights of the morning session on Sunday.
McDonald and Yousef Masrahi of Saudi Arabia clocked the only sub-44 times in the opening round of the 400m. They were both given 43.93 in the second heat with world leader Isaac Makwala of Botswana qualifying in third position in 44.19.
McDonald's effort is a new national record and he became the first Jamaican to run under 44 seconds, beating Jermaine Gonsalves' previous national mark of 44.40.
McDonald, Masrahi and Makwala will face each other in the same semi-final heat on Monday
James, meanwhile, stormed into the semi-finals, clocking 44.56 seconds to win heat four, ahead of Olympic silver medallist Luguelin Santos of the Dominican Republic who finished second in 44.62.
Trinidadian Lalonde Gordon, ironically the bronze medallist at the London Olympics, was third in 44.97.
Rising star, Trinidadian Machel Cedenio, also advanced after finishing second in heat one in a time of 44.54 seconds, behind winner American David Verburg in 44.43.
Jamaicans Peter Matthews (44.69) and Javon Francis (44.83), Trinidadian Renny Quow (44.54) and Chris Brown (44.68), Michael Mathieu (45.07) and Steven Gardiner (45.26) of the Bahamas also qualified for Monday's semi-finalists, in a large Caribbean contingent.
There were no surprises in the women's 100m qualifying round with defending champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce leading the group of Caribbean qualifiers with a wind-aided 10.88 seconds. American Tori Bowie clocked the same time but under legal wind.
Michelle-Lee Ahye of Trinidad and Tobago (10.98) and Veronica Campbell-Brown of Jamaica (11.04) were also strong finishers to advance to the semi-finals.
There they will join Natasha Morrison (11.08) and Sherone Simpson (11.22) of Jamaica and Kelly-Ann Baptiste (11.13) and Semoy Hackett (11.16) of T&T.
In the women's heptathlon, Salcia Slack of Jamaica and Akela Jones of Barbados were unable to finish the event which was won by Jessica Ennis-Hill of Great Britain with a season best 6669 points.
Slack completed only six of the seven events while Jones finished in only five as both competitors were affected by injuries.
Jeffery Gibson of the Bahamas, meanwhile, moved closer to a medal as he produced a national record-breaking performance to advance to Tuesday's final of the men's 400m hurdles.
Gibson had to sprint after clearing the final hurdle to clock 48.37 seconds in finishing behind Russia's Denis Kudryavtsev who posted a personal best and fastest qualifying time of 48.23.
Gibson's previous best mark was 48.51 which he set last month in winning the gold at the Pan American Games.
Kaliese Spencer (55.03) and Janieve Russell (55.09) of Jamaica and Trinidadian Sparkle McKnight (55.77) also advanced to the women's 400m hurdles with American Cassandra Tate (54.27), topping the list of qualifiers for Monday's semi-finals.