One of Jamaica’s brightest track and field talents, former world 400-meter champion Antonio Watson, delivered a statement performance Sunday at the National Stadium, claiming his first-ever senior national title at the JAAA National Championships. Competing in the men’s 400-meter final, Watson crossed the finish line in a blistering 44.73 seconds – his fastest competitive time since his unforgettable underdog victory at the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest, where he stunned the global athletics community to take home gold.
Watson made his decisive move coming around the final bend, edging into the top spot before the straightaway, and held off charging challengers to maintain his lead all the way to the line. Delano Kennedy secured second place with a solid time of 45.11 seconds, while Zaveir Brown rounded out the podium in third with a 45.26-second finish.
On the women’s side of the 400-meter competition, Stacey-Ann Williams also earned her first senior national crown, clocking an impressive 50.33 seconds to claim the top spot on the podium. Leah Anderson finished as runner-up with a time of 51.04 seconds, while Shana Kay Anderson took third place after crossing the line in 51.52 seconds.
The national championships serve as a key qualifying event for Jamaican athletes targeting international competitions, making the breakthrough titles for both Watson and Williams a major milestone in their respective careers. The event, held at Kingston’s iconic National Stadium, continues to showcase the depth of young sprinting talent that Jamaica has become globally renowned for.