It was a wonderful day for Jamaica at the World Championships in Beijing, China, yesterday, as the nation copped its 100th medal at these games after Usain Bolt won the 100m. The distinction of winning Jamaica’s first medal, however, went to shot putter O’Dayne Richards.

The World Championships started in 1983 and Jamaica have won 25 gold, 42 silver and 33 bronze. Only the United States, Germany, Russia and Kenya have won more gold medals.

The highlight of the day was of course Bolt successful defence his 100 crown (9.79 seconds) and Richards throwing 21.69m for bronze in the shot put.

The emerging Rusheen McDonald turned in a jaw-dropping performance and lowered the national 400m record of 44.40 to 43.93 seconds, becoming the first Jamaican to run a sub 44 second 400m. McDonald finished second in his heat but with the identical time of 43.93 seconds as winner Yousef Masrahi of Saudi Arabia.

McDonald was followed into the 400m semis by Javon Francis and Pete Matthews. Francis running out of lane eight ran 44.83 seconds for second behind Lashawn Merritt in 44.51 seconds while Matthews running in heat one, finished fourth in 44.69 seconds behind American David Verburg who won in 44.43 seconds.

Defending women’s 100m champion, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce cruised into the semi-finals of the event with the joint fastest time of 10.88 seconds as all four Jamaicans advanced.

Natasha Morrison was second in heat two in 11.08 seconds behind Blessing Okagbare of Nigeria with 11.07 seconds while Veronica Campbell-Brown also eased into the finals finishing second in 11.04 seconds behind American Tori Bowie in 10.88 seconds. Sherone Simpson clocked 11.22 in finishing third behind Kelly-Ann Baptiste of Trinidad and Tobago.

Two of Jamaica’s four 400m female hurdlers advanced to the semi-finals in Kaliese Spencer and Janieve Russell. Ristananna Tracey and Shevon Stoddart both failed in their efforts.

Spencer won heat one in 55.03 seconds while Russell won heat five in 55.09 to be sixth and seventh fastest respectively going into the next round. American Cassandra Tate was quickest with 54.27.

Injured Heptathlon competitor Salcia Slack failed to show for the final 800m event thereby receiving no points.

Earlier in the morning, Slack did 5.54m in the long jump collecting 712 points and 36.11m in the javelin picking up another 593 points for a total of 1305 points.

Annsert Whyte and Leford Green both failed to make the finals of the men’s 400m hurdle event. Whyte clocked a season’s best of 48.90 seconds for seventh. Green was sixth in his semis with 48.47 seconds.