Levell the Playing Field

Bryan Levell continues to live up to his name—truly levelling the playing field in global sprinting. From his early days as a junior standout at Boys and Girls’ Champs, he has consistently shown remarkable talent and determination. Now, as a senior athlete, he is rapidly maturing, refining his craft, and proving himself among the world’s elite.

His most recent achievement—clocking a personal best of 19.69 seconds at the István Gyulai Memorial in Budapest—cemented his place in Jamaican sprinting history. With this performance, Levell is now the third-fastest Jamaican ever over 200m. He trails only Yohan Blake (19.26) and the legendary Usain Bolt (19.19, world record). To see a young athlete rise to such heights fills me with immense joy and pride.

Much credit must be given to Shanieke Osbourne, whose coaching and dedication have been instrumental in Levell’s progress. Despite past challenges—such as the breakdown in her coaching relationship with Elaine Thompson-Herah—Osbourne demonstrated resilience, learned from those experiences, and proved her ability to guide world-class athletes to greatness. Her work with Levell highlights her growth and underscores that she possesses the expertise to develop elite, medal-winning performers.

Levell Is Ready for the Big Stages

Looking ahead, Levell is now firmly in the conversation as a medal contender for the upcoming World Championships in Tokyo this September. Based on his current form, I believe he has a genuine chance at securing a bronze medal, and if he maintains his upward trajectory, he could very well climb higher on the podium.

The main challenge that remains for Levell is consistency. While his talent is undeniable, his performances sometimes fluctuate dramatically from one race to another. If he can master the art of delivering consistently strong performances, there is no doubt in my mind that he can finally end Jamaica’s drought in the men’s 200m. The last time Jamaica secured a medal in this event was at the 2016 Olympics, thanks to Usain Bolt, and at the 2015 World Championships, again through Bolt.

Levell is a man on a mission—focused, fearless, and hungry for greatness. His journey represents not just personal ambition, but also the hope of an entire nation longing to see Jamaica rise again in the 200m. We eagerly await what more he has in store, and we wish him nothing but the best as he continues to carry the torch forward.