MONTEGO BAY, St James — Jamaica had a good start to the 8th IAAF World Youth Championships in Donetsk, Ukraine Wednesday morning with eight of 10 athletes in action in the first session, all advancing.

Women’s discus thrower Paul-Ann Gayle and her Edwin Allen high teammate shot putter Demar Gayle however failed to advance to their respective finals set for the afternoon session.

Paul-Ann was 14th overall in the discus with a bet throw of 42.63m, just missing the cut for the top 12 while despite a personal best 18.34mn, Demar was 18th overall.

Rushelle Burton – 13.78 seconds and Yanique Thompson- 13.52 seconds both won their 100m hurdles heats to advance to the semi finals.

Martin Manley-47.08 seconds and Devaughn Baker-47.58 second also won their men’s 400m heats while Tiffany James-54.66 seconds and Yanique McNeil-4.69 seconds were also winners in the women’s 400m heats.

Michael OHara and Waseem Williams both ran 10.66 seconds to win their respective heats and are in a three way tie for third overall with Barbadian Mario Burke.

The afternoon session will get underway 9:00am Jamaican time and will see Jamaicans taking part in the heats of the 400m hurdles for male and female and the female 100m heats.

— Paul Reid