KINGSTON, Jamaica — Commonwealth Games and World Cup champion, Janieve Russell, won her third national women’s 400 metre hurdles title on Friday evening as she won the final at the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) Ministry of Health/Supreme Ventures National Senior Championships at the national stadium, running a season’s best 54.07 seconds, fourth best in the world.

The event lived up to expectation as there was a blanket finish behind Russell with Ronda Whyte, the 2017 champion, second in 54.94 seconds and Leah Nugent third in 54.98 seconds.

The event was expected to be one of the most competitive of the weekend and it delivered as Shiann Salmon, the World Under-20 silver medallist was fourth in 55.00 seconds.

In the men’s race, two-time World Under-20 champion, Jaheel Hyde, ran a big personal best 48.18 seconds, under the Olympic qualifying mark, to win his first senior title and book his ticket to Japan.

Sean Rowe was second in 49.60 seconds and defending champion Kemar Mowatt, who also had the qualifying time, was third.

Interestingly, Leonardo Ledgister, who failed to make it to the final but had run the qualifying time, could be named to the team.

Paul Reid