JOA boss hails Jamaica’s performance at Tokyo World Champs

President of the Jamaica Olympic Association (JOA), Christopher Samuda, has lauded the nation's athletes for their remarkable performances at the recently concluded World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan, where Jamaica secured 10 medals - one gold, six silver and three bronze.

"Inspiring performances by our athletes who rose, in the land of the rising sun, to continue a tradition of athletic prowess under our expert and world-renowned coaches," Samuda said.

One of the standout moments at the championships in Tokyo came from sprint legend Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, who capped off her illustrious career by helping Jamaica to silver in the women's 4x100m relay. At 38, Fraser-Pryce leaves behind a legacy spanning nine World Championships, where she amassed 10 gold, six silver, and one bronze medal, in addition to her two Olympic 100m titles.

"Shelly-Ann, the doyenne of the track, whose name and reputation are cemented in the annals of sporting greats, gifted Tokyo an inspiring farewell to competition but she will remain an erudite reference for aspirants of generations. The sport has been a beneficiary of the royalty of a 'pocket' who rocketed in the athletic universe," he added.

Samuda also highlighted the achievements of JOA scholarship recipient Brian Levell, who continued his rise with an impressive showing in Tokyo. Level, 21, won a bronze medal in the men's 200m in a new personal best time of 19.64 seconds.

"Our JOA scholarship recipient, Brian Levell, has sounded a warning for the future with an impressive talent display and humility, which characterises his accomplishments and is keeping his feet solidly on history's path," he said.

Equally historic was the performance of Navasky Anderson, who became the first Jamaican man to reach the final of the 800m at the World Championships. Anderson twice broke his own national record, clocking 1:42.76 for seventh place, erasing his previous mark of 1:43.72 in the semi-finals.

"Navasky Anderson imprinted the 800m track with valour to do his country and himself proud while writing national records on the manuscripts of World Championships," Samuda underscored.

Looking ahead, Samuda urged the next generation to draw lessons from the accomplishments in Tokyo.

"Our youth must study the attributes of greatness in their quest to learn and experience the quality of life on and beyond the podium," he said.