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50 Years After Losing to America, Jamaican Athlete Reigns 400M Event at World Athletics Championship

Published 08/25/2023, 9:33 AM EDT

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Team Jamaica has dominated the World Athletics Championship for years. With top-notch athletes like Usain Bolt, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, and Shericka Jackson running on 200 and 100-meter race tracks, the team has secured many golds under its name. However, Jamaica has always faced a `setback on the 400-meter race tracks of the championship.

Since the 1980s, the 400-meter Jamaican sprinters have not been able to secure the first position on the podium. But this season, while the 100-meter sprinters face a loss to the Americans, a 400-meter sprinter has paved his way toward victory. On Tuesday, a 21-year-old Jamaican sprinter reigned over the 400-meter tracks of Budapest.

Antonio Watson creates history at the World Athletics Championship

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Jamaica’s track and field prodigy helps the country secure its second gold of the event. On the 24th of August. Antonio Watson won the 1st 400-meter title at the World Athletics Championship for Jamaica since 1980’s. Amid this staunch success, Travis Miller of NBC updated track and field enthusiasts on Twitter. Miller had posted a photo of the 21-year-old Antonio proudly carrying his flag on his back with the caption, ‘Jamaica wins the men’s 400m title for the first time since 1983!!”

 

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Watson, who gained speed in the last 100 meters of the track, secured the win in 44.22 seconds, while British sprinter Mathew Hudson-Smith bagged the silver with a time of 44.31. The third position on the podium was taken by Quincy Hall of the United States, with 44.37 seconds.

After this historic win, stoked Antonio Watson told the media, “I’m feeling very excited to come out here to my first World Athletics Championship and go home with gold.” This win came only minutes after team Jamaica was able to secure their first gold at the World Athletics Championship. 30-year-old Jamaican sprinter Danielle Williams claimed the gold for Jamaica in a 100-meter hurdles race.

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Danielle Williams secures the first gold

Eight years after her victory in Beijing, 30-year-old Danielle Williams secured her second gold at the 2023 World Athletics Championship. The sprinter’s win was purely exceptional, as Williams, with a time of 12.43 seconds, surpassed Puerto Rican Olympic athlete Jasmine Camacho-Quinn by 0.01 seconds to win the race. While the third position was secured by United States sprinter Kendra Harrison in 12.46. After the race, Williams while highlighting her achievement told the media, “I still don’t believe I won against such a stellar field.”

Also read: Sha’Carri Richardson Shuts Down Salty Rivalry With Jamaican Sprinter Shelly-Ann Fraser Pryce With a Heartwarming Gesture

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After continuously leaving the stadiums with disappointment, the exceptional success of Antonio Watson and Danielle Williams was truly a breath of fresh air for the Jamaican fans. Hopefully, the enthusiasts will witness more such days in the upcoming events of the World Athletics Championship.

Watch this story: As Retirement Nears, Track Legend Allyson Felix Hints at a Fresh Career Path

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Written by:

Paras Jan

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Paras Haji is a US Sports author at Essentially Sports. She began her professional journey as a content and news publisher, which gave her valuable experience in the sports media industry. Her passion for all things Olympics, and dedication to keeping track of every competitive performance, have earned her recognition for handing over captivating articles.
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Edited by:

Brandon Gabriel