Britania Williams
The 2025 ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls Athletics Championships will be remembered as a unique and talked-about edition. With a staggering number of disqualifications, unexpected victories, off-track debates, and record-breaking performances, Champs 2025 delivered drama from the opening whistle to the final event.
Major Highlights from Champs 2025
Shanoya’s Dominance
Shanoya Douglas emerged as a leading force on the girls’ side, achieving a remarkable double victory in the 100m and 200m. This performance not only solidified her position as a top female athlete but also saw her successfully defend her 200m title. Her sights are now set on potentially joining an elite group of Jamaican women capable of excelling in events ranging from the 100m to the 400m.
Shaquane’s Redemption in the Hurdles
Shaquane Gordon experienced a rollercoaster of emotions in the hurdles. Initially disqualified, he mounted a successful appeal and returned to the track to clinch a memorable gold medal. This victory culminated in a powerful comeback after a setback at the Carifta trials, showcasing his resilience and determination.
Surprise Champions in the Boys’ 200m
The Class 1 and Class 2 Boys’ 200m finals produced unexpected outcomes, with pre-race favorites being toppled by determined underdogs. Usain Bernard surprised many to take gold in the Class 2 final, while Sanjay Semour emerged victorious in the highly anticipated Class 1 final.
Surprise Champion in the Girls’ 200m
Sabrina Dockery of Lacovia High, considered the frontrunner for the Class 1 Girls’ 200m title, was surprisingly defeated by Jody-Ann Daley. Daley, representing Edwin Allen High, had already secured a gold medal earlier in the day in the Class 1 100m Hurdles. Her victory in the 200m added another impressive achievement to her already decorated record, which includes gold medals in the 400m, 400m hurdles, and now the 100m hurdles.
KC & Hydel Triumph
Despite facing significant controversy, Kingston College (KC) demonstrated their strength and depth by successfully defending their boys’ championship title, further cementing their legacy in boys’ athletics.
On the girls’ side, Hydel High continued their ascent to prominence, securing their second girls’ championship, dethroning Edwin Allen and establishing themselves as a true powerhouse in female track and field.
Final Standings
Boys’ Champions: Kingston College (KC) – 293 points
Girls’ Champions: Hydel High – 277 points
Boys’ Top 3:
Kingston College (KC) – 293 points
Calabar High – 229.25 points
Jamaica College (JC) – 207 points
Girls’ Top 3:
Hydel High – 277 points
Edwin Allen High – 266 points
Holmwood Technical – 230.5 points
Major Controversies & Disqualifications
Several disqualifications, particularly on the penultimate day of Champs 2025, soured the annual track and field event for many.
Kingston College (KC) Disqualification
Kingston College’s disqualification in the Decathlon was a huge talking point of Champs 2025. KC had fielded a third transferred athlete, Jurel Clement from Grenada, in the event, exceeding the ISSA limit of two transferred athletes per event. Following a challenge from a competing school, ISSA took disciplinary action, leading to Clement’s disqualification despite his victory and the subsequent forfeiture of team points.
Calabar’s 4x100m Disqualification
Calabar High, a perennial relays contender, suffered a significant setback when their Class 1 Boys’ 4x100m team was disqualified after winning gold. The disqualification was due to a violation of Rule 24.7, involving a baton exchange that occurred outside the designated takeover zone.
Lacovia’s Sabrina Dockery Reinstated
Lacovia High experienced a dramatic turn of events regarding their star sprinter, Sabrina Dockery.
Initially disqualified in the Class 1 Girls’ 200m final alongside Shevi-Ann Shim of Immaculate Conception, an appeal led to Dockery’s reinstatement. However, Shim’s disqualification was upheld.
Jamaica College’s Rough Start
Jamaica College (JC), considered one of the top contenders for the boys’ title, faced a challenging start to the championships. The team incurred multiple disqualifications on the opening day, significantly impacting their overall campaign and morale.
Jamal Stephenson’s Heartbreaking DQ
Calabar High athlete Jamal Stephenson endured a particularly disappointing experience. After finishing second in the semi-finals of the Class 1 Boys’ 100m, he was disqualified just minutes before the final, preventing him from competing for a medal.
Calabar High protested this disqualification, claiming a faulty timing system.
5000m Controversy – Kenyan Dominance
The Boys’ 5000m event sparked considerable debate as the top three positions were claimed by Kenyan athletes.
This outcome reignited discussions about the fairness of allowing a large number of international athletes to compete at Champs and the potential impact on the development opportunities for local Jamaican athletes in long-distance events. Some local athletes and coaches voiced concerns regarding the increased presence of overseas competitors at these events.
False Starts and Retroactive Disqualifications
Several notable false starts and subsequent retroactive disqualifications occurred throughout Champs 2025, prompting discussions about reaction times and the sensitivity of the starting blocks, particularly regarding World Athletics rules defining a false start as any reaction faster than 0.1 seconds.
Calabar’s Protest and Threat of Withdrawal
Beyond Stephenson’s DQ, Calabar High raised concerns about other rulings, including KC’s decathlon issue and their own 4x400m relay disqualification, at one point even threatening to withdraw from the championships due to perceived inconsistencies in officiating.
Records Broken
Several athletes achieved outstanding performances, setting new records at Champs 2025:
Boys’ Class 2 Triple Jump: KC’s Amani Phillips leaped to a record-breaking distance of 15.66m.
Boys’ Javelin Open: Calabar’s Tarique Daley set a new record with a throw of 65.11m. (Note: Official World Athletics results show a different result, indicating potential conflicting information.)
Boys’ Class 2 Discus: Calabar’s Kamari Kennedy smashed the championship record with a throw of 61.46m.
Girls’ Class 1 100m Hurdles: Hydel’s Jody-Ann Daley clocked an impressive 13.40 seconds, setting a new record in this event.
Boys’ Class 3 1500m: KC’s Julius Itubo from Nigeria broke the record in 4:05.15 minutes.
Boys’ Class 3 100m: JC’s Kai Kelly sprinted to a record of 10.60 seconds.
Girls’ Class 1 2000m Steeplechase: Hydel High’s Taiefa Gowe set a new record of 6:52.82.
Other Notable Performances
Girls’ Class 1 100m: Lacovia High’s Sabrina Dockery dominated the final with a world-leading personal best of 11.08 seconds.
Boys’ Class 1 100m: Wolmer’s Boys’ Gary Card secured a narrow victory in 10.28 seconds. His semifinal time of 10.06 seconds was also remarkable, just shy of the championship record.
Boys’ Class 1 400m: KC’s Tajh-Marques White triumphed in a personal best of 45.84 seconds, with his teammate Marcinho Rose finishing closely behind in 45.90 seconds, also a personal best, securing a 1-2 finish for Kingston College.
Girls’ Class 2 100m: Shanoya Douglas of Muschett High won in 11.32 seconds.
Girls’ Class 1 400m: Hydel’s Nastassia Fletcher set a massive personal best of 52.82 seconds to win.
Boys’ Class 1 Long Jump: JC’s Michael-Andre Edwards leaped to victory with 7.57m.
Girls’ Class 2 Long Jump: Immaculate Conception’s Jaeda Robinson won with a jump of 5.91m.
Final Thoughts: A Champs to Forget or One for the Ages?
Kingston College’s victory during their centenary year and Hydel High’s continued dominance add further layers to this complex narrative. Whether Champs 2025 is ultimately remembered as a low point due to the officiating and disciplinary issues, or simply as a uniquely dramatic and unforgettable chapter in the event’s storied history, remains to be seen.
Champs 2025 will undoubtedly be etched in the history books for its unprecedented drama and controversy, alongside some exceptional athletic achievements and record-breaking performances. The sheer number of disqualifications, significant upsets and intense debates on and off the track made this edition unlike any other in recent memory.
The discussions surrounding rules, officiating, and athlete discipline will continue within the Jamaican athletics fraternity for some time.
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