On the opening day of the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) National Championships, held Thursday at Kingston’s iconic National Stadium, Racers Track Club’s Jeremy Bembridge put on a dominant opening performance to secure the top spot among all advancing athletes in the men’s 400-meter event. Crossing the finish line in 45.84 seconds to claim victory in his first-round heat, Bembridge outpaced runner-up Kimar Farquharson, an athlete representing Texas A&M University, who clocked a solid 46.06 seconds to also move forward in the competition.
Reigning 2023 world 400m champion Antonio Watson also delivered a strong showing to advance, winning his own heat with a time of 45.91 seconds. Watson finished ahead of Shaemar Uter of Texas Tech University, who recorded a 46.14 second finish, and Emil Gordon of the University of Technology, Jamaica, who crossed in 46.66 seconds.
Additional heat winners advanced to Friday’s scheduled semifinal round as well, including Bovel McPherson, who took his heat in 46.83 seconds. Zandrion Barnes also booked his spot in the next round with a 46.04 second finish, joining other qualifying athletes Reheem Hayles (46.09 seconds), Demar Francis (47.32 seconds), Delano Kennedy (47.39 seconds), and veteran Javon Francis (47.64 seconds). All advancing athletes will return to the National Stadium on Friday to compete for a spot in the event’s final round.