JAMAICANS gathered in Half-Way-Tree were in a state of shock on Monday after sprinters Shericka Jackson and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce were both beaten by American Sha’Carri Richardson in the final of the women’s 100 metres event at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary.

Jackson won the silver medal after finishing second in a time of 10.72 seconds while Fraser-Pryce, who was aiming for her sixth World 100m title, copped the bronze in a season’s best time of 10.77.

Richardson, who has been having an excellent season, won the gold in a championships record 10.65.

“I think we threw away this race because all Shericka had to do was to dip her head in at the finish line to beat Sha’Carri,” said Jaheel Nar. “I am very disappointed and saddened by this because Sha’Carri must not win anything. I think we threw away this gold medal,” he said.

Latoya Picton, a vendor based in Half-Way-Tree, said like Nar she was very dissatisfied with the outcome.

“I am very disappointed that we didn’t win the race because we wanted first and second; but we were not penetrating [paying attention to] Sha’Carri on the outside, hence we lost the race. But, I am happy that we won two medals in the event and so it is just up from here on for us at the championships,” she said.

Carlene Edwards, head of promotion and sponsorship at Jamaica National Bank, said she was expecting a one-two finish for the Jamaicans.

“In truth, I was expecting Jamaica to come away with the gold or possibly a silver. I had full confidence just looking at the season that Shericka has had and was really looking forward to her winning the gold medal, and it was a toss-up between Shelly and Sha’Carri,” she said.

“I believe the lane draw played a major role in the final, with Sha’Carri all the way on the outside [lane nine], and I think in the middle the Jamaican girls were not able to see her because at the end of the race you could see that Shericka had more left in her,” Edwards added.

Damion Nelson, who said he came to Half-Way-Tree just to watch the final, was shocked by the Jamaicans’ efforts in the event.

“I feel very bad about this results because it was first place that I am looking for in this race,” he said. “I think we threw away the race because we eased up at the line and it cost us dearly. I am vexed because we could have done a lot better to win the gold medal,” Nelson said.