KINGSTON, Jamaica — Edwin Allen High School’s distance running sensation Sushana Johnson cemented her status as a dominant force in Jamaican junior athletics by capturing her second gold medal at the prestigious ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls Athletics Championships. The standout athlete delivered a commanding performance in the 3000m Open final on Saturday’s championship closing day, clocking an impressive 10:38.18 minutes to successfully defend her title.
Johnson’s victory completed a remarkable distance double, coming just twenty-four hours after she claimed her first gold medal in the 2000m steeplechase event on Friday. The consecutive wins demonstrated her exceptional versatility and endurance across different distance disciplines.
In Saturday’s 3000m final, Johnson executed a strategically masterful race, establishing an early lead and maintaining a punishing pace that gradually broke down her competitors. She crossed the finish line with a comfortable margin of victory, nearly three seconds ahead of her closest rival. Sydney Pagon High’s Alexia Palmer secured the silver medal with a time of 10:41.37 minutes, while Chevelle White of Alphansus Davis High captured bronze in 10:52.59 minutes.
The annual championships, organized by the Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA) and sponsored by GraceKennedy Limited, represent the pinnacle of high school athletic competition in Jamaica. The event consistently serves as a breeding ground for future international track stars and Olympic prospects, with Johnson’s double victory positioning her as one of Jamaica’s most promising distance running talents.