In 2008, a young girl named Tina Clayton sat wide-eyed in front of the television, barely four years old, as Jamaica erupted in celebration. Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce had just become an Olympic champion — the fastest woman in the world. To Tina, she was more than a sprinter. She was a superhero. Seventeen years later, on a warm evening in Doha, that same little girl, now a poised 20-year-old sprinter, found herself standing on the same starting line as her childhood idol. The stakes were high, the lights were bright, but Tina’s heart was steady. Was she nervous? Maybe a little. Was she afraid? Not even for a second. Did she win? Well…

When the gun fired on May 16 at the Doha Diamond League, Tina exploded out of the blocks with confidence and control, surging through the finish line in 11.02 seconds — a season’s best and enough for second place against a world-class field. Behind her, finishing fourth, was the legendary Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, who clocked 11.05. It was more than just a race. It was a moment — a symbolic passing of the baton, a quiet nod to the next generation. But Tina wasn’t done.

Just eight days later, on May 24, Tina returned home to Kingston for the JAAA WA Championships Preparation Meet. There were no towering stadiums or international cameras this time— just the rhythmic chants of her countrymen and the weight of national pride. Under overcast skies and against a slight headwind, Tina powered down the track and crossed the line in 11.16 seconds (-0.2 m/s) — first place, in front of her people, on her soil. However, a fortnight ago, she rubbed her shoulders with Shelly-Ann in Guangzhou. At that moment, the athletes had a similar goal, and Tina didn’t disappoint the fans while running with the legends. 

At the World Athletics Relays in Guangzhou, Tina Clayton earned her spot on Jamaica’s women’s 4x100m relay team, joining forces with sprint legends Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Shericka Jackson. In the heats, the team delivered a strong performance, securing second place with a time of 42.51 seconds. However, in the final the following day, the team slipped slightly, finishing in third place. Still, for the 20-year-old Clayton, the experience was nothing short of unforgettable — a chance to share the track with two of Jamaica’s greatest. That moment seems to have fueled her even more. This season, Tina has shown clear progress, climbing the ranks with determination and poise, proving she’s more than ready to carry the baton into Jamaica’s sprinting future.

Tina Clayton is making her way to the top 

Tina Clayton’s 2025 season has been anything but quiet, and she’s making sure everyone hears her roar. At first, she stormed back into the spotlight at the World Indoor Qualifiers, delivering a statement win in the women’s 60m final. Lining up against none other than Shericka Jackson, who was still on the mend from injury, Tina showed no hesitation. She exploded out of the blocks and never looked back, surging across the line in a season-best 7.08 seconds, despite running into a headwind of -0.6 m/s. It wasn’t just a win — it was a message.

Then, a tough outing at the Miramar Invitational, where she finished a disappointing sixth in the women’s 300m, some might’ve wondered if the rising star had hit a bump in the road. But champions aren’t defined by their stumbles — they’re defined by how they respond. And Tina? She responded with fire. That momentum carried into Velocity Fest 17, where Tina tackled the women’s 100m head-on. Faced with a +2.7 m/s tailwind, she held her form and composure, stopping the clock at 11.12 seconds to grab yet another victory.

So, in a season filled with highs, lessons, and rebounds, Tina Clayton is reminding the world that she’s not just another young talent — she’s a force. Fast, fearless, and fiercely focused, she’s carving her path with every step she takes down the track. And with the summer heating up, so is Tina.