Tiffany James, winner of the bronze medal in the girls' 400 metres final at the World Youth Championships in Donetsk, Ukraine yesterday. James clocked 53.56 seconds. -photo Andre Lowe
DONETSK, Ukraine:The Jamaican National Anthem blared through the speakers at the RSC Olympiysky twice and there was even a bouncy reggae tune being played at the end of the day.
Jamaica took charge at the 2013 IAAF World Youth Championships (WYC) in Donetsk on yesterday's third day of competition, winning two gold medals and a bronze and increasing the tally to four.
"It's not just the medals, it's the fact that we have been getting such quality from our athletes; world youth records, championship records and world leads, it's an amazing performance and all Jamaicans should be proud," said an excited Michael Carr.
One-time national Under-17 footballer Jaheel Hyde, who on Tuesday said that the 110m hurdles wasn't even his favourite event, may have a different position now, after coming within .01 seconds of the World Youth record with a 13.13 gold-medal winning run in the final - the fastest time ever at the WYC.
It was the first time ever that Jamaica was winning a medal in the 110m hurdles at the WYC.
"I wanted to create history for my country, and I am happy that I m the first to do that," said Hyde.
It was always going to be a special race and when it mattered, Hyde showed purer form and composure, holding off the challenge of USA's Martin Humphrey, 13.24 before driving for the line with China's Yang Lu taking the bronze with 13.33.
St Jago High's Martin Manley, 45.89 seconds, a below par 100m and 200m sprinter a year ago, produced a late burst to out-power American Ryan Clarke, 46.46, to the boys' 400m gold medal, in the process, posting the fastest time by a youth in the event this year. Not bad for a youngster, who only took up the event within the last year.
Martin, who was becoming the first Jamaican World Youth champion in the event, also carved his name in the books as the fastest Jamaican youth over 400m since Usain Bolt's 45.35 in 2003.
Kenya's Alexander Sampao, 46.78, finished third, while another Jamaican, Devaughn Baker, who has struggled to shake jet lag after a three-day trip here, running seventh in 47.97.
"This is for my coach Danny Hawthorne, he is a genius," said Manley. "This means so much to me, this is an awesome feeling."
decisive
Jamaica's other medal came in the girls' 400m final, where national junior champion Tiffany James, 53.56, crossed the line in third place to win the bronze behind gold medallist Sabrina Bakare, 52.77 (Great Britain) and USA's Olivia Baker, 53.38.
Also yesterday, all Jamaicans qualified for the 200m semi-finals, with Jonielle Smith, 24.30, and Saqukine Clarke, 24.35, finishing second in their respective heats.
Michael O'Hara was decisive in his heat, winning in 20.96 while Odane Bernard, 21.71, was comfortable for second place in his heat.
Obrien Waysome and Clayton Brown both jumped 14.90m and did not advance in the boys' triple jump.
Four more medals will be on offer for Jamaica today. Okeen Williams and Marvin Williams (11:05a.m. Jamaica time) will run in the boys' 400m hurdles final with Andrenette Knight featuring in the female equivalent (10:50 a.m.). Christoffe Bryan will also compete in the boys' high jump final (9:15 a.m.).